New Women's Under-20 Six Nations competition 'huge' help to bridge gap, says Niamh Briggs

The inaugural Women's U20s Six Nations will be a huge help in bridging the gap that exists to senior level, says Niamh Briggs.

Ireland will take on England, Italy and Scotland at the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series, which takes place in Parma between 4-14 July.

Earlier today Ireland named a 36-woman training squad for training camps in Dublin with the travelling panel to be finalised ahead of the tournament.

Predominantly made up of U20 players, there is allowance for three U23s in each match-day squad.

The senior Ireland team has endured some difficult results over the last two years but finished off the Six Nations campaign with a victory over Scotland that secured World Cup qualification for Scott Bemand’s side.

"It’s obviously huge, it’s a natural progression for us," said head coach Briggs of the new tournament.

"For a long time, we have been looking for these pathways to be put in place. We have been looking for structures around that 18s and 20s. It’s so important.

The Ireland Under-20 training squad has been named for the Six Nations Women's Summer Series, which will debut this July, in Parma, Italy.