France continued their winning streak against Ireland in the opening match of the Six Nations with a 15-27 win, despite a red card for Gabrielle Vernier in the second half.
Ireland Head Coach Scott Bemand has named the match day squad for Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations opener against France at Kingspan Stadium.
Having played a key role in their historic WXV campaign in Canada last October, starting in the number 13 shirt against the reigning world champions New Zealand- Aoife Dalton admits gaining an Ireland contract, playing in WXV 1 and beating the Black Ferns has all been a bit of a fantasy.
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made three changes to his starting line-up for their final WXV 1 assignment, against USA in Vancouver on Friday.
Edel McMahon, who captained the side in last week’s historic victory over New Zealand, has been ruled out of this weekend’s match with an injury sustained in training during the week.
Sadhbh McGrath has been passed fit to take part in Ireland’s inaugural WXV 1 campaign, but head coach Scott Bemand will be without fellow prop Christy Haney in Canada.
The Irish embarrassingly lost out 10-88 at Twickenham against the defending champions and the reaction for this Saturday’s third-place decider at home to Scotland in Belfast has been to alter two back, one forward, and also include an uncapped player on the bench.
The Irish snapped their recent championship losing streak with a commanding 36-5 win last weekend over Wales in Cork and they now head to London with one change to the back line and another to their pack.
The restoration of co-captain Edel McMahon in place of the absent Grace Moore is the only starting team alteration as Bemand has opted to keep faith with the players he chose to take on the Italians.
Italy got their first win in the 2024 Women's Six Nations as they saw off an Irish comeback to take the 27-21 victory in round two.