New Ireland women's head coach Scott Bemand has named an experienced team for their opening match of the inaugural WXV competition.
The Irish team face Kazakhstan in the third tier of the tournament on Friday at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Behind a front row of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney, co-captain Sam Monaghan will partner Dorothy Wall in the second row, while fellow co-captain Edel McMahon is joined by Grace Moore and Brittany Hogan in the back row.
Dannah O'Brien will be at out-half with Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half. The centre partnership is made up of Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins, while Meabh Deely anchors the back three alongside Beibhinn Parsons and Natasja Behan.
The return of Parsons and Higgins is a significant boost for Ireland.
Both players last featured for Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations, having since focused on the Sevens programme and were instrumental in helping secure Olympic qualification.
There are also three uncapped players among the replacements to face Kazakhstan, with forwards Sarah Delaney, Megan Collis and Eimear Corri included in the matchday 23.
"It's very exciting to name my first team as head coach to compete in the inaugural WXV competition," said Bemand, who was appointed as head coach by the IRFU in July.
"We have selected a blended squad of experience and new players and this matchday 23 get the first opportunity to put our identity out there in a Test.
"This WXV competition is going to be a great leadership experience for our co-captains Edel and Sam. We have seen how the potential debutants have competed in training and this will be a big moment for them and their families."
Ireland: Méabh Deely, Natasja Behan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan
Replacements: Sarah Delaney, Sadhbh McGrath, Megan Collis, Eimear Corri, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Fowley, Leah Tarpey.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog of Ireland v New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday with kick-off 8pm. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch England v Fiji and France v South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow live blogs on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
