Leinster's Katie Whelan called up as injury cover by Scott Bemand ahead of WXV finale against USA

Leinster's Katie Whelan has been called up to the Ireland squad ahead of Friday’s WXV1 finale against USA in Vancouver, with her provincial teammate Katie Heffernan returning to Ireland due to injury.

Heffernan has been forced out of the final week of the international block due to an arm injury picked up in training.

The Mullingar centre has been replaced by the uncapped Whelan, who will provide backline cover this week ahead of the final game of the WXV against the USA on Friday evening (8.30pm Irish time) at BC Place in Vancouver.

Whelan, who primarily plays as a scrum-half, impressed in Leinster’s Women’s Interprovincial campaign, scoring two tries and winning player of the match in the opening game of the championship against Connacht in August.

Head coach Scott Bemand is due to name his team for Friday’s game on Wednesday, with Ireland still potentially able to finish as high as second in the table with a bonus-point win.

"The squad are feeling pretty good. Some tired bodies out there, but a real focus on getting refreshed out there and getting back in action for the USA game, second row Fiona Tuite said.

"We take an awful lot from it [the Canada game], it was a really tough game, a really physical battle. We expected that from Canada, they're a really strong team, one of the best in the world.

"There was areas we could have been stronger in, and we have a lot to improve on for the USA."

Friday’s opponents USA are without a win in their WXV campaign, losing 61-21 to England in their opener before being beaten 22-14 by France on Saturday.

"We’re expecting a really big challenge from the USA, they’re a physical team, they’ve got some really good athletes and a couple of their Sevens players back in.

"We know what we need to