(Picture – Irish Rugby)
New Ireland women’s head rugby coach Adam Griggs has named five Connacht players, including two debutants, in his 25-player squad for their Six Nations warm-up meeting with Wales this Sunday (January 21st) in the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach at 1pm.
Galwegians duo Laura Feely and Edel McMahon are given opportunities to impress before Griggs finalises his players ahead of the Six Nations opener with France on February 3rd.
https://www.facebook.com/ConnachtWomensRugbyNews/photos/a.223638687831086.1073741833.223366577858297/481662608695358/?type=3&theater
Ballybofey native Feely took part in the corresponding warm-up game against Wales in 2017 being a late replacement as Ireland went down 22-14. She was also Connacht Player of the Year in 2016.
McMahon was nominated for Connacht Women’s Club Player of the Year in 2014 during her time with NUIG. But the former Science student came off the bench for the Barbarians’ team that beat Munster 19-0 in November.
William Davis interviews a delighted Edel McMahon after her debut for @Barbarian_FC. @GalwegiansWomen @NUIGwomensrugby @gbfmsports pic.twitter.com/jE0JbsZBbt
— Craggy Rugby Podcast (@craggyrugbypod) November 10, 2017
Feely and McMahon will be joined by club mate Ciara O’Connor while the Connacht representation will be completed by Old Belvedere’s Alison Miller in the backs and Railway Union’s Nichola Fryday among the forwards.
“We’ve had some very productive camps since I started with the team,” said Griggs to the IRFU’s official website. “And the trip to Wales this weekend will give us the chance to test out new combinations and look at some of the key areas the players have been working on.
“There’s a number of uncapped players included who have impressed in the interprovincial games before Christmas and during our recent camps, so I’m looking forward to seeing them test themselves at international level and hopefully giving me some selection headaches over the coming weeks. ”
IRELAND WOMEN – 2018 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES:
FRANCE vs IRELAND (Saturday, 3rd February – 8pm Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse)
IRELAND vs ITALY (Sunday, 11th February – 1pm Donnybrook)
IRELAND vs WALES (Sunday, 25th February – 3pm Donnybrook)
IRELAND vs SCOTLAND (Sunday, 11th March – 1pm Donnybrook)
ENGLAND vs IRELAND (Friday, 16th March – 5.30pm Ricoh Arena, Coventry)
