Fresh faces in Ireland women's squad

Ireland have named two new caps in the starting XV and four in the replacements in the squad to face Wales in their Women’s RBS 6 Nations opener on Friday.

Newcomer Ashleigh Baxter will earn her first cap at fullback with Alison Miller and Niamh Kavangh completing the back three for the clash, which takes place at 7.30pm in Ashbourne RFC on Friday night.

Ireland’s most capped player Lynne Cantwell will start at out-half and will form a new half back pairing with Amy Davis. Grace Davitt returns to the team after missing out last season and forms the centre partnership with Niamh Briggs.

Up front Fiona Coghlan will again captain the side and she is joined in the front row by Gillian Bourke and Ailis Egan.

Sophie Spence is the other new cap in the second row and she starts alongside the now established Marie Louise Reilly.

The back row has an experienced look with Laura Guest and Claire Molloy packing down either side of Joy Neville.

There is a vacancy remaining on the bench.

Ireland team to play Wales in RBS Women's 6 Nations on Friday, 3 February at Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm:

15 Ashleigh Baxter 14 Niamh Kavanagh 13 Niamh Briggs
12 Grace Davitt 11 Alison Miller 10 Lynne Cantwell 9 Amy Davis 1 Fiona Coghlan (Captain) 2 Gillian Bourke 3 Ailis Egan 4 Marie Louise Reilly 5 Sophie Spence 6 Laura Guest 7 Claire Molloy 8 Joy Neville

Replacements: 16 Paula Fitzpatrick 17. Ruth O'Reilly 18 Siobhan Fleming 19 Heather O'Brien 20 Larissa Muldoon 21 Nikki Caughey 22 A.N. Other