Pauw committed to using whole squad ahead of semi-final

The Republic of Ireland have the rare opportunity to progress to the final of a tournament on Saturday night, but manager Vera Pauw is not losing sight of the bigger picture ahead of the Pinatar Cup last-four showdown with Russia (7.30pm kick-off).

Goals from the two Quinns - Lucy and Louise - edged the Irish past Poland with a 2-1 win in their opening game of the eight-team competition in Murcia, Spain on Wednesday afternoon.

The winners will take on either Wales or Belgium in the final, but Pauw is committed to utilising and rotating her whole squad in consideration of April's huge World Cup qualifier in Sweden.

Everyone can expect to get minutes, with a third/fourth-placed play-off assured even if Russia prevail.

"This is a friendly tournament and we're very happy that we have three games," said Pauw.

"The next game will be a completely different team playing - all of the players who do not usually play will play, but we will not change our strategy or our playing style.

"You need to grow as a team to be able to qualify [for major tournaments]. It is the whole team, not just 27 players but also the stand-by players who put energy in so the whole group is going to another level.

"The task is clear and they get the opportunity to show it now against higher opposition."

Pauw has brought three uncapped players to Spain: Brighton goalkeeper Megan Walsh, defender Chloe Mustaki and attacker Abbie Larkin [both Shelbourne]. They all look likely to get a run against the Russians, who beat Hungary on penalties midweek.

The last time the countries met was back in June 2014, when they played out a scoreless draw in the Krasnoarmeysk Stadium as part of the 2015 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney