Scott Bemand names experienced Ireland team to face Kazakhstan in inaugural WXV3

New Ireland women's head coach Scott Bemand has named an experienced team for their opening match of the inaugural WXV competition.

The Irish team face Kazakhstan in the third tier of the tournament on Friday at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

Behind a front row of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney, co-captain Sam Monaghan will partner Dorothy Wall in the second row, while fellow co-captain Edel McMahon is joined by Grace Moore and Brittany Hogan in the back row.

Dannah O'Brien will be at out-half with Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half. The centre partnership is made up of Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins, while Meabh Deely anchors the back three alongside Beibhinn Parsons and Natasja Behan.

The return of Parsons and Higgins is a significant boost for Ireland.

Both players last featured for Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations having focused on the Sevens programme and were instrumental in helping secure Olympic qualification.

There are also three uncapped players among the replacements to face Kazakhstan, with forwards Sarah Delaney, Megan Collis and Eimear Corri included in the matchday 23.

"It's very exciting to name my first team as head coach to compete in the inaugural WXV competition," said Bemand, who was appointed as head coach by the IRFU in July.

"We have selected a blended squad of experience and new players and this match day 23 get the first opportunity to put our identity out there in a Test.

"This WXV competition is going to be a great leadership experience for our co-captains Edel and Sam. We have seen how the potential debutants have competed in training and this will be a big moment for them and their families."

Ireland: Méabh Deely, Natasja Behan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons; Dannah O'Brien,