| Venue: RDS, Dublin Date: Saturday 26 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Coverage: BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app. |
After Greg McWilliams’ selection of his team for the Women’s Six Nations match against Wales, Aoibheann Ryan, a scrum-half, is making her Ireland debut.
After impressing at Blackrock College’s 21-year-old, the youngster is now given a start for Saturday’s RDS opener.
McWilliams has named two replacements for uncapped forwards, Anna McGann and Christy Haney.
McWilliams, who replaced Adam Griggs in November, will assume control of Ireland for the first time.
Neve Jones, the Ulster hooker is named in front row with Linda Djougang, Katie O’Dwyer and Katie O’Dwyer. Sam Monaghan will be partnering Nichola Friday, newly appointed captain at lock.
Dorothy Wall is back from injury after missing last Autumn’s November Series. She will now start as blindside flanker, with Edel McMahon at openside and Brittany Hogan at eight.
Reilly, who was a part of the World Rugby Sevens Series for Ireland’s team, is now partnered by Nicole Cronin as a half-back, and the Limerick native will be back in green to win her 17th Test cap.
Stacey Flood is now a partner in the centre with Eve Higgins, who links up with Stacey Flood in midfield. Lucy Mulhall and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe make up the exciting back trio.
McWilliams succeeded Griggs following Ireland’s shocking failure to qualify for World Cup. Ireland, however, will be entering the Six Nations after finishing third last year.
McWilliams stated, “This is a great beginning for us as an organization, and we’re excited about the youth experience in the group.”
“We’ll learn much from this game but for these players go out and represent Ireland in the RDS it will be something special.
“It will be a great occasion, and I’m excited for them to perform, since we’ve done a lot of hard work over the past few weeks.”
Ireland: E Considine; AL Murphy Crowe, E Higgins, S Flood, L Mulhall; N Cronin, A Reilly; L Djougang, N Jones, K O’Dwyer, N Fryday (capt), S Monaghan, D Wall, E McMahon, B Hogan.
Replacements: E Hooban, C Pearse, C Haney, A McGann, H O’Connor, K Dane, E Breen, B Parsons.