Bemand names returning Parsons and Higgins in first Ireland squad

New Ireland Women's head coach Scott Bemand has included Beibhinn Parsons and Eve Higgins in his first squad ahead of the inaugural WXV3 competition in Dubai.

Bemand has named a 30-player training squad, with an extended group of players to assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Sunday, 10 September, in preparation for the three-game WXV3 campaign in October.

The return of Parsons and Higgins is a significant boost.

Both players last featured for Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations having focused on the Sevens programme and were instrumental in helping secure Olympic qualification.

Ireland, under coach Greg McWilliams, finished bottom of the Six Nations table after suffering five defeats.

Ahead of the three-game WXV3 campaign in October, Bemand has also included five uncapped players in the training squad.

Forwards Fiona Tuite, Sarah Delany and Siobhan McCarthy are named in the panel, while backs Clara Barrett and Katie Whelan earn their first call ups to the senior squad.

Delany, Barrett and Whelan are three of five players included who featured for Ireland Women's U20s on their tour to Italy in June.

In addition, Bemand has selected six players - Eimear Corri, India Daley, Kayla Waldron, Leah Tarpey, Megan Collis and Ruth Campbell - to train with the squad for the duration of the preparatory camps.

Bemand has rewarded those who have shown some recent form at inter-provincial level.

"There have been a number of impressive performances during the interpros and the coaching team believe we have selected an exciting blend of youth and experience for the competition ahead," he said.

"We will assemble as a wider group in two weeks as we narrow the focus on our opening game against Kazakhstan in Dubai."

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