Jessie Stapleton starts for the Republic of Ireland in tonight's Euro 2025 play-off showdown with Wales at Aviva Stadium (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm).
The 19-year-old comes into the middle of the park ahead of Lily Agg in what is the only change to the Ireland line-up from the first leg in Cardiff last Friday. That game ended 1-1 to leave the tie on a knife edge.
Bar Stapleton, Eileen Gleeson has again trusted some of her most experienced players to get the job done. Niamh Fahey gets the nod at the heart of the back line alongside Anna Patten and Caitlin Hayes, with Heather Payne and skipper Katie McCabe the two wing-backs.
Ruesha Littlejohn is good to go despite nursing a long-time Achilles issue, and she will sit with Stapleton to free up playmaker Denise O'Sullivan, who is tasked with supporting the front two of Julie-Ann Russell and Kyra Carusa.
The Welsh have made two changes. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has gone with the lightning-quick Hannah Cain in her front three instead of Ffion Morgan, while Josephine Green replaces Ceri Holland on the right flank.
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey, Caitlin Hayes; Heather Payne, Ruesha Littlejohn, Jessie Stapleton, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe (capt); Julie Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa
Wales: Olivia Clark; Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Rhiannon Roberts; Lily Woodham, Angharad James-Turner (capt), Alice Griffiths, Josephine Green; Jess Fishlock, Rachel Rowe, Hannah Cain
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain)
Watch Republic of Ireland v Wales in the Euro 2025 play-offs from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On.
