Cliodhna Moloney left out of Ireland Six Nations squad

Cliodhna Mooney and Sene Naoupou have both been left out of Ireland's squad for the opening rounds of the TikTok Women's Six Nations.

The pair are the most high profile omissions from Greg McWilliams's first squad since becoming head coach.

Wasps hooker Moloney played in all eight Ireland games in 2021, but made headlines in November when she described comments made by women's director Anthony Eddy as "slurry spreading".

Eddy resigned from his role today ahead of tomorrow's publication of the independent review into Ireland's failure to qualify for the World Cup in New Zealand.

While Moloney has been a key player for Ireland in recent years, the 28-year-old has been surprisingly dropped by McWilliams, although the IRFU have not given a reason for her omission.

Sevens veteran Sene Naoupou is also not included, having been a mainstay of the Irish midfield in recent years while Gloucester's back row Anna Caplice is also left out.

There are nine uncapped players included in the squad, with forwards Christy Haney, Amanda McQuade, Anna McGann, Aoife Wafer, Emma Murphy and backs Aoibheann Reilly, Natasja Behan, Molly Scuffil-McCabe and Vicky Irwin.

Ireland get their campaign under way against Wales on Saturday 26 March, before travelling to France in Round 2 a week later.