SCOTT BEMAND has called on Ireland to rise to the challenge posed by France in tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations opener.
Head coach Bemand has named Amee-Leigh Costigan as captain and Neve Jones as vice-skipper for the clash in Belfast.
He said: “We’re focused on producing a performance this Saturday and showcasing further growth and evolution in our game at the start of a very exciting year.”
Star winger Béibhinn Parsons has lost her battle to be fit in time for Saturday’s tough task.
The 23-year-old broke her leg twice in 2024, at the Olympics in Paris and at a World SVNS event in December.
It was hoped the Connacht star would be OK for the Championship and she was named in the squad.
Defence coach Hugh Hogan, however, says this week’s match is too soon but that “she will be in the mix over the coming weeks”.
IRELAND: S Flood; A McGann, A Dalton, E Higgins, AL Costigan; D O’Brien, E Lane; N O’Dowd, Neve Jones, L Djougang; R Campbell, D Wall; B Hogan, E King, A Wafer.
Reps: C Moloney, S McCarthy, C Haney, G Moore, F Tuite, E McMahon, A Reilly, E Breen.
Elsewhere in Irish injury news, Craig Casey looks primed for his first minutes of 2025 at the home of Mayo GAA.
And he could be joined at MacHale Park by World Cup winner Jean Kleyn.
Both internationals are back in full training, and while tonight’s URC trip to Glasgow comes too soon, interim head coach Ian Costello said they are on target to feature in the sell-out clash against Connacht in Castlebar on Saturday week.
Casey has recovered from a knee injury suffered against Castres in December while Springbok Kleyn has been out with a thigh issue since November.
Costello said: “Craig Casey and Jean Kleyn trained pretty much fully.
“Craig is bouncing around the place, doing incredible rehab.
“That extra energy and vibe on the pitch was really noticeable.”
