Clare players set to feature in historic Ireland game

Eimear Considine and Edel McMahon have been named in the Ireland women’s rugby team for their test against the USA this Friday, writes Ivan Smyth.

Considine switches to the centre after lining out in the Six Nations and World Cup 2021 European qualifiers at full back.

Kilmihil’s McMahon will wear the no.7 jersey against a USA.

Ballina’s Maeve Óg O’Leary is named among the replacements as she looks set to make her international debut after a stellar year. O’Leary impressed when representing Munster in the Interprovincial series.

She made her debut against Ulster in August and started all three games for her province as her rich vein of form has been rewarded as she looks set to make her international debut.

This has been a turbulent week for the players and everyone involved in women’s rugby in Ireland.

The Director of Irish women’s rugby Anthony Eddy made controversial claims to the media about the team’s lack of success.

Irish women's rugby director Anthony Eddy has apologised to the squad for his comments this week

🏉 with @VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs https://t.co/KiZgIHhnw5

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 11, 2021

Some current and former players have spoken out against the director on social media in recent days.

Ireland return to action against the USA Eagles after seeing their hopes of reaching the World Cup dashed in September. They will look to rebound against a side who are ranked sixth in the world, in what will be the first Women’s international staged at the RDS.

Ireland v USA Eagles will kick off at 19.45 this Friday and is live on the RTÉ Player.

Ireland women: 15. Lauren Delany, 14. Laura Sheehan, 13. Eimear Considine, 12. Sene Naoupu, 11. Beibhinn Parsons, 10. Stacey Flood, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Leah Lyons, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Ciara Griffin (c), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice. Replacements: 16. Neve Jones, 17. Katie O’Dwyer, 18. Linda Djougang, 19. Hannah O’Connor, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe