First start for Agg as Pauw forced to reshuffle defence

Claire O'Riordan and Harriet Scott come into another reshuffled Republic of Ireland defence for this evening's clash in Slovakia, while Lily Agg earns a first competitive start after her match-winning contribution against Finland last Thursday.

Ireland can march into round 2 of the World Cup play-offs if they pick up three points tonight.

They guaranteed second spot in Group A with a hard-fought 1-0 win against the Finns last time out but another victory in their final group game would make them one of the top three ranked sides in the play-offs and thus earn a round 1 bye.

Megan Connolly, who suffered fractured ribs and a bruised kidney against Finland, misses out having spent a few days in the Mater Hospital, while Niamh Fahey [groin] is still injured so O'Riordan slots in to a central back three with Louise Quinn and Diane Caldwell.

O'Riordan replaces the suspended Jamie Finn on the right and Agg takes her place beside Denise O'Sullivan in the middle of the park.

Megan Campbell and Katie McCabe make up a strong looking left side of the pitch for Ireland with Jess Ziu on the right ahead of O'Riordan and the tireless Heather Payne again leading the line.

It's a first start in over four years for O'Riordan, who plays her club football at Celtic. Birmingham City's Scott last started back in October 2020, while the ever reliable Caldwell will win her 90th international cap at the NTC Senec.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Harriet Scott, Claire O'Roiordan, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Megan Campbell; Denise O'Sullivan, Lily Agg; Jess Ziu, Heather Payne, Katie McCabe

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