Ireland captain Edel McMahon to start against Italy

Ireland Head coach Scott Bemand has named a handful of changes in his side for Sunday’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash against Italy in Parma (15:00 GMT).

Edel McMahon returns to the starting XV to captain Ireland with an unchanged back three as Stacey Flood continues at fullback and Anna McGann and Amee-Leigh Costigan are named on the wings.

Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton once again make up the centre partnership. Aoibheann Reilly starts at scrum-half alongside Dannah O’Brien.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

In the pack, Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are selected in an unchanged front row, with Ruth Campbell and Fiona Tuite in the second row.

Erin King will start at openside flanker alongside McMahon at six and Aoife Wafer- last weekend’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Round – wearing number eight.

On the bench, Cliodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Christy Haney, Grace Moore, Dorothy Wall and Brittany Hogan provide the forward power, with Emily Lane and Enya Breen the backline options.

Ireland team to play Italy :
15. Stacey Flood
14. Anna McGann
13. Aoife Dalton
12. Eve Higgins
11. Amee-Leigh Costigan
10. Dannah O’Brien
9. Aoibheann Reilly

1. Niamh O’Dowd
2. Neve Jones
3. Linda Djougang
4. Ruth Campbell
5. Fiona Tuite
6. Edel McMahon
7. Erin King
8. Aoife Wafer

Replacements:
16. Cliodhna Moloney
17. Siobhan McCarthy
18. Christy Haney
19. Grace Moore
20. Dorothy Wall
21. Brittany Hogan
22. Emily Lane
23. Enya Breen