Sam Monaghan returns as Bemand makes four changes for Italy

Sam Monaghan will captain Ireland in this Sunday's Women's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Italy at the RDS (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with head coach Scott Bemand making four changes to his side from the opening defeat to France.

Monaghan comes into the second row to partner Dorothy Wall, having missed out on last week's defeat to the French due to concussion. The Meath native replaces Hannah O'Connor, who drops out of the matchday 23.

Edel McMahon, who captained the side last week, is a surprise omission, with the flanker not included in the matchday squad. McMahon's spot in the back row is taken by Grace Moore, who joins Brittany Hogan and Aoife Wafer at the back of the scrum.

The front row is unchanged from Le Mans last week, as Neve Jones packs down at hooker, with Christy Haney and Linda Djougang either side of her.

There are two changes to the backline, with Dannah O'Brien (below) getting the nod ahead of Nicole Fowley at out-half, with O'Brien joined by Aoibheann Reilly in the half-backs.

Munster's Enya Breen makes her return to the team in the centre, after missing the majority of last year's Six Nations with an arm injury. Aoife Dalton drops to the bench, with Eve Higgins joining Breen in midfield.

The back three is unchanged, with Lauren Delany continuing at full-back in between wings Beibhinn Parsons and Katie Corrigan, with the latter set for her home debut.

There is also one new face on the bench, as Eimear Corri is included among the replacements.

"Last week we saw progression but know we've got to keep going after on-pitch performance," Bemand said.

"We’ve made some changes to the side from last week and this reflects the competition that is building in the squad.

"We want Irish people to see how much it