Grace Moloney starts in goal for the Republic of Ireland against Belgium tonight, with Chloe Mustaki getting the nod in defence off the back of her strong showing in June's friendlies in the USA.
The Girls in Green are targeting a positive result in the first leg of this Nations League promotion/relegation play-off at Aviva Stdium ahead of the return game in Leuven on Tuesday.
Belgium are ranked 20th in the world (Ireland are 27th), and made it to last summer's Euros, but head coach Carla Ward has been bullish about Ireland's chances in the build-up as they look to return to League A.
With Courtney Brosnan missing due to a knee injury, Sunderland stopper Moloney will be between the sticks. Moloney stepped in for Brosnan the last time she was absent - a year ago in the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final first leg away to Georgia.
Anna Patten is suspended, so the back three is made up of Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton and Mustaki.
Aoife Mannion and captain Katie McCabe - winning her 99th cap tonight - are the wing-backs, while Denise O'Sullivan will join Ruesha Littlejohn and Marissa Sheva in the centre of the park.
Emily Murphy will be tasked with offering support to striker Kyra Carusa.
The Girls in Green are back at Lansdowne Road for the first time since last December's Euro 2025 play-off final defeat to Wales.
"Looking back at the Wales double-header play-off last year, maybe we took a more cautious approach in that first leg, which didn't really benefit us," McCabe said yesterday.
"I don't know whether that was mentality, it was how we were feeling. There are a lot of variables and of course the team is very different to what it was last year now.
"As Carla's mentioned, for us it's all about Friday night and making sure we turn up and give Belgium a good go."
Republic of Ireland: Grace Moloney; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (Capt); Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O'Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy, Kyra Carusa
Belgium: Nicky Evrard; Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak, Janice Cayman, Laura Deloose; Elena Dhont, Tine De Caigny, Mariam Toloba; Tessa Wullaert (Capt), Jarne Teulings, Feli Delacauw
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Ger)
Watch Republic of Ireland v Belgium in the UEFA Women's Nations League play-offs from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live radio commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm.
