Pauw wants Tallaght 'party' after Aviva & RDS plans come undone

Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw had plenty to chew over when she faced the media on Friday ahead of the first of three crucial pre-World Cup windows.

Ireland will go to Spain early next week for a training camp and two games: a behind-closed-doors match against Germany and then a full international friendly with China.

Some new faces are on the scene for that trip; Manchester United centre-back Aoife Mannion and Washington Spirit's Marissa Sheva have both been included in the squad for the first time.

Ireland will have another test in April and France come to town on 6 July in what will be a farewell game before they fly Down Under to finish preparations for that huge World Cup group opener against Austria at the 82,500-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney.

There could be further matches squeezed in in June and even in Brisbane after Ireland touch down for the tournament, but the Girls in Green are nailed in to take on the French. That clash is in Tallaght and not the Aviva, which is unavailable due to pitch maintenance. More on that later.

First, Pauw explained how and why the newbies got the nod. The manager is sensitive about upsetting the balance of things but has also been open about her willingness to freshen the panel up with the required quality.

American attacker Sheva qualifies through her Tyrone grandfather and Donegal granny.

Manchester United's Mannion (above) represented England all the way up to Under-23 level.

Her mother is a Mayo woman and her dad is from Galway, she's played a lot of Gaelic football in the UK with Sean McDermott's and, somewhat ironically, was in the same class as Jack Grealish at St Peter's school in Solihull.

"We will not put players in the squad unless they're better than what we have,"