Ireland name team to face Spain at Franklin’s Gardens

Ireland head Coach Scott Bemand has named his squad for Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup clash against Spain at Franklin’s Gardens.

Ireland started off their World Cup campaign with a bang last week, beating Japan 42-12 in pool C.

Sam Monaghan captains the side from the second row, while Linda Djougang is set to win her 50th Test cap.

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

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

Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan retain their places in Ireland’s back three, with Anna McGann coming onto the right wing, while the centre pairing of Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton remains unchanged.

Dannah O’Brien, who was impressive in her kicking last weekend kicking six from six off the tee, continues at 10 with Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half looking to make her Rugby World Cup debut.

In the pack, Ellena Perry makes her first start in the front row alongside Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald and Djougang, with Eimear Corri-Fallon coming into the engine room alongside captain Monaghan.

Fiona Tuite continues at blindside flanker, with Claire Boles starts at seven in her first Rugby World Cup appearance and Grace Moore slots in at number eight.

On the replacements bench, Neve Jones, Siobhán McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Ruth Campbell and Brittany Hogan provide the back up options in the pack, with Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Nancy McGillivray named as finishers for the backs.

Ireland team v Spain:

15. Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(21)
14. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(12)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(25)
12. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(29)
11. Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(20)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(27)
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawat? RFC/Leinster)(22)

1. Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(2)
2. Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)(46)
3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(49)
4. Eimear Corri-Fallon (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)(7)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(24)
6. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(18)
7. Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)(6)
8. Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(23)

Replacements:

16. Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury)(38)
17. Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(9)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(17)
19. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(9)
20. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(35)
21. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(18)
22. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(32)
23. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(1)