Cliodhna Moloney set to play first Ireland match since 2021 against Wales in Six Nations
Cliodhna Moloney of Ireland
Cliodhna Moloney is set to play for Ireland for the first time since 2021 after she was named on the bench for Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations game with Wales at Musgrave Park.
The Exeter Chiefs hooker was recalled to the Ireland squad ahead of this weekend’s round three game and she replaces substitute hooker Sarah Delaney. Neve Jones continues as the starting hooker.
Head coach Scott Bemand has made one change to the team that started the 27-21 defeat to Italy at the RDS two weeks ago. Co-captain Edel McMahon returns to the team in place of Grace Moore who drops out of the matchday squad. McMahon was dropped from the squad after the opening defeat to France and her recall means Aoife Wafer – who was voted player of round two – switches back to blindside flanker with McMahon starting at openside.
It will be the first time in this Six Nations that both co-captains – McMahon and Sam Monaghan – will start on the Ireland team together. The uncapped Shannon Ikahihifo, who came through IQ Rugby, is named among the replacements.
Bemand has named an unchanged backline. Full-back Lauren Delany has been passed fit to play after completing her return to play protocols after she was taken off at the end of the first half at the RDS on Easter Sunday. Enya Breen continues in the centre with Eve Higgins while Aoife Dalton is on the bench.
Ireland team (v Wales): L Delany; K Corrigan, E Higgins, E Breen B Parsons; D O’Brien, A Reilly; L Djougang, N Jones, C Haney; D Wall, S Monaghan (co-capt); A Wafer, E McMahon (co-capt), B Hogan. Reps: C Moloney, N O’Dowd, S McGrath, F Tuite, S Ikahihifo, M Scuffil-McCabe, N Fowley, A Dalton
