‘Right time’ – Ireland women’s head coach Scott Bemand explains why Cliodhna Moloney’s Irish exile is over

The Exeter Chiefs hooker has been called into the squad for the first time since she described comments made by former IRFU director of women’s rugby Anthony Eddy as "slurry spreading" in a social media post two and a half years ago.

Moloney has been training with the squad in Dublin since yesterday ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales at Musgrave Park. Replacement hooker Sarah Delaney has picked up a knock to her shoulder which opened the door for Moloney’s call-up.

“We’d been in comms for a reasonable while. We’d been tracking how she’s playing. We got to a point where we felt it was the right time. We’re carrying two hookers within the 36,” Bemand said today. “Sarah [Delaney] has picked up a little bit of a ding on her shoulder, so it’s the right time to give her an opportunity.

“It’s an opportunity that’s presented itself. We base everything around our on-pitch performances. We feel this is the right time. We feel she can add to it, so she was pretty pleased to say, ‘Yeah, I’d be up for coming in’.”

Bemand says a decision has yet to be made on whether Moloney – who has 31 Ireland caps - will be included in the match-day squad for the visit of Wales.

“We haven’t done selection yet. We got a training week to compete for us to bed in, get to know her, get to know us. She’s on day two. She’s going fine and we’ll see what that looks like for selection.

Co-captain Edel McMahon has welcomed the return of her Exeter team-mate Moloney who she also lives with in Devon.

“Yeah, it's brilliant. I live with her, so I think I know her quite well. I’ve been privileged to play with her for a long time with Wasps and Chiefs, so I just know the standard that she lives by day to day, what she brings on the pitch, and yeah, she’s slotted in very well and training well.”

So what will Moloney bring to the squad?

“I suppose her aggression, definitely, and assertiveness around the park. She carries well, she’s slotted in really well with the girls already. Just going about her business.”