Team News: Ireland make three changes ahead of Italy clash

Adam Griggs has named his Ireland team to play Italy in this weekend’s Women’s Six Nations third place play-off.

There are three changes to the team that played France which sees out-half Stacey Flood, winger Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, and flanker Brittany Hogan come in for their first Test starts.

Railway Union back row Grace Moore could make her debut off the bench at Energia Park. Cork’s Leah Lyons has also been brought onto the Ireland bench in the number 18 shirt.

Ireland opened their Six Nations account with a 45-0 hammering of Wales before falling to a heavy defeat against France last weekend.

Ireland XV to face Italy

15. Eimear Considine 
14. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe 
13. Eve Higgins 
12. Sene Naoupu
11. Beibhinn Parsons
10. Stacey Flood
9. Kathryn Dane

1. Lindsay Peat 
2. Cliodhna Moloney 
3. Linda Djougang 
4. Aoife McDermott
5. Nichola Fryday 
6. Dorothy Wall 
7. Brittany Hogan
8. Ciara Griffin (captain)

Replacements:

16. Neve Jones 
17. Laura Feely
18. Leah Lyons
19. Grace Moore
20. Hannah O’Connor 
21. Emily Lane
22. Hannah Tyrrell
23. Enya Breen.