Wales vacation to Dublin on Saturday to participate in Eire in the opening round of the 2022 Women’s 6 Nations.
It will be Wales’ very first with qualified players in their ranks. The Wales Rugby Union have handed out 12 expert contracts along with some retainer promotions which sees athletes component-time in the sport.
Ioan Cunningham is the new head coach and is encourages by the development the staff are making. He has layed out what progress he would like to see at the tournament, expressing: “There is now healthy opposition in the course of the squad which is best.
“We want to establish on the excellent progress we observed in the autumn. We want to enjoy a higher tempo game and have challenged the gamers to complete at substantial intensity.”
But who has he selected and how can supporters watch? Here’s all you will need to know.
When is it?
The match will kick-off at 4.45pm on Saturday 26 March at the RDS Arena.
How can I view
The fixture will be out there to look at on BBC Two Northern Ireland and enthusiasts can also stream the game on BBC iPlaye
Group information
The major shock in the Ireland line-up is that star winger Beibihinn Parsons has been still left on the bench with Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Lucy Mulhall favoured. Scrum-50 percent Aoibheann Reilly will make her debut and in the forwards new captain Nichola Fryday begins at lock. Christy Haney and Anna McGann could also get their first caps from the bench.
In the meantime, for Wales, they have knowledgeable players lining up for them. Captain Siwan Lillicrap starts at no.8 with Alisha Butchers and Alex Callender producing up the back again row. In the backs, Jasmine Joyce starts off on the wing with Hannah Jones and Kerin Lake the centre partnership. And from the bench Sioned Harries could make her 1st overall look given that 2019.
Verified line-ups
Eire: Eimear Considine Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood, Lucy Mulhall Nicole Cronin, Aoibheann Reilly Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Katie O’Dwyer, Nichola Fryday, Sam Monaghan, Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Emma Hooban, Chloe Pearse, Christy Haney, Anna McGann, Hannah O’Connor, Kathryn Dane, Enya Breen, Beibhinn Parsons.
Wales: Kayleigh Powell Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Cerys Hale, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Siwan Lillicrap (captain).
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Cara Hope, Donna Rose, Sioned Harries, Bethan Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Robyn Wilkins, Sisilla Tuipulotu.
Prediction
Whilst several may favour Eire in this fixture, it will be a ton nearer than many consider with the morale in both camps shifted from past year. Eire unsuccessful to qualify for the Globe Cup and conversely 12 Wales players are now professional. Ireland may possibly continue to get the get but it won’t be as easy as they may well think. Eire 20-15 Wales.