Monaghan and McMahon start for Ireland against Colombia

Ireland Women's head coach Scott Bemand has named a strong starting XV for Saturday’s second round of the WXV3 against Colombia at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

Ireland made an impressive start against Kazakhstan last week securing a record 109-0 result.

Co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon start in the second row and back row respectively, forming part of a strong pack. Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney named in the front row.

Eimear Corri starts the game this week, having won her first cap last Saturday, and joins Monaghan in the engine room. Grace Moore is at blindside flanker, McMahon at openside and Brittany Hogan at number eight.

The backline contains an exciting blend of youth and experience, with Meabh Deely, Beibhinn Parsons and Natasja Behan starting in the back three. Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins are paired together in midfield, as Aoibheann Reilly and Nicole Fowley are selected in the half-backs.

There is one uncapped player on the bench, with forward Fiona Tuite in line to make her Test debut in green.

Commenting on the squad announcement, Bemand said: "Whilst it was great to get the performance we did last week, we are looking to further grow our playing identity. We have had another competitive training week this week. It is another opportunity to see a couple of new faces take to the pitch."

Ireland: Méabh Deely, Béibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Natasja Behan, Nicole Fowley, Aoibheann Reilly, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Eimear Corri, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan

Replacements: Sarah Delaney, Niamh O'Dowd, Megan Collis, Fiona Tuite, Dorothy Wall, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Dannah O’Brien, Leah Tarpey

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