The teams were announced earlier this afternoon for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup 7th Place Play Off match between Ireland Women and Wales Women.
The match has added significance as the winner will gain automatic qualification for the next World Cup. Losing, however wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for either with both sides likely to qualify through their European placement in the Six Nations anyway I believe.
It’s been a difficult tournament for the hosts and this match is unlikely to be different. All the Irish backs, outside of Nora Stapleton and Alison Miller, have limited international XV’s experience against what is likely to be an aggressive Wales who would love nothing better than getting a win over Ireland on home soil.
Could go either way, though Ireland’s pack should see them through.
The match kicks off at 2:00 pm on Saturday. It will not be broadcast in Northern Ireland unless you can get RTE or Eir Sports. It should however be possible to pick up a live feed at World Rugby or on their Facebook feed.
| IRELAND | WALES | |
|---|---|---|
| Hannah Tyrrell | 15 | Elinor Snowsill |
| Eimear Considine | 14 | Elen Evans |
| Katie Fitzhenry | 13 | Gemma Rowland |
| Jeamie Deacon | 12 | Hannah Jones |
| Alison Miller | 11 | Jasmine Joyce |
| Nora Stapleton | 10 | Robyn Wilkins |
| Nicole Cronin | 9 | Keira Bevan |
| Lindsay Peat | 1 | Caryl Thomas |
| Cliodhna Moloney | 2 | Carys Phillips (c) |
| Ailis Egan | 3 | Amy Evans |
| Ciara Cooney | 4 | Siwan Lillicrap |
| Marie Louise Reilly | 5 | Melissa Clay |
| Paula Fitzpatrick (c) | 6 | Alisha Butchers |
| Ciara Griffin | 7 | Rachel Taylor |
| Heather O’Brien | 9 | Sioned Harries |
| Leah Lyons | 16 | Kelsey Jones |
| Ilse Van Staden | 17 | Gwenllian Pyrs |
| Ciara O’Connor | 18 | Cerys Hale |
| Sophie Spence | 19 | Shona Powell-Hughes |
| Ashleigh Baxter | 20 | Lleucu George |
| Larissa Muldoon | 21 | Sian Moore |
| Sene Naoupu | 22 | India Berbillion |
| Mairead Coyne | 23 | Jodie Evans |