Ireland coach Bemand had 'tough conversations' before team announcement for Italy clash

Ireland coach Scott Bemand revealed he had some "tough conversations" with disappointed players before he announced his team to face Italy in Sunday's Women's Six Nations at the RDS.

Sam Monaghan comes back into the side as captain having sat out the opener against France due to concussion protocols. She is one of four changes in the starting 15 from that day-one defeat.

"The girls have been competing hard, so yes, there were some tough conversations," Bemand said. "Yes, there were some high support that we've put in place for girls but they understand where the group is and where they need to be."

"As we move towards professionalism, we’ll pick strongest groups game by game. This is a selection for Italy and it definitely doesn’t rule people out going forward. Yes, there were a couple of very tough discussions based on form as well."

Monaghan comes into the second row to partner Dorothy Wall, replacing Hannah O'Connor, who drops out of the matchday 23.

Last week's captain Edel McMahon is not included in the matchday squad. The flanker's spot in the back row is taken by Grace Moore, who joins Brittany Hogan and Aoife Wafer at the back of the scrum.

The front row is unchanged from Le Mans last week, Neve Jones is at hooker, with Christy Haney and Linda Djougang either side of her.

There are two changes to the backline, Dannah O'Brien getting the nod ahead of Nicole Fowley at out-half, with O'Brien joined by Aoibheann Reilly in the half-backs. Munster's Enya Breen is back in at centre, Aoife Dalton drops to the bench and Eve Higgins will partner Breen in midfield.

Ireland enjoy a "clean bill of health" after the opening weekend of play, according to the coach, who suggested that Breen's quality with the boot helped sway him in her