RUGBY SHORTS

WALES boss Rob Howley has given his players a chance at redemption by naming an unchanged team to face Ireland tomorrow. Despite Wales suffering a first defeat at Scotland’s hands for 10 years last time out, Howley will send the same starting XV and replacements into battle. The selection might surprise pundits and supporters, but the interim head coach said: ‘We discussed giving the opportunity to the side to redeem themselves for the second-half display against Scotland. ‘There were too many unforced errors from 40 to 55 minutes, after a really dominant first half.’ ÷HEAD coach Tom Tierney has confirmed the Ireland side to play Wales this Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park in the Women’s Six Nations. The XV shows three personnel and one positional change to the side that beat France 13-10 in Donnybrook. Wingers Alison Miller and Hannah Tyrrell return after playing with the Sevens side.

IRELAND: K Flood; H Tyrrell, J Murphy, S Naopu, A Miller; N Stapleton, M Healy; L Peat, L Lyons, A Egan; S Spence, M-L Reilly; C Griffin, C Molloy, P Fitzpatrick (capt). Reps: C O’Connor, R O’Reilly, M Friday, M Coyne; I Van Staden, N Caughey, C Cooney, L Muldoon. ÷AN IRELAND Legends XV will face England in the annual curtain-raiser to the Six Nations clash. The exhibition, in memory of Anthony Foley, will take place on Friday, March 17, at the RDS, on the eve of the potential Slam decider. It is the ninth time the sides have met, and is set to be the highest profile yet.

IRELAND: R O’Gara, S Byrne, A Quinlan, D Wallace, G D’Arcy, J Flannery, M Horan, E Reddan, I Boss, P Wallace, G Murphy, M Galwey, M O’Driscoll, L Toland, S Jennings, K Dawson, R Corrigan, J Bishop, G Duffy, A Horgan, T Buckley, J Downey. Man: P O’Connell; Asst S Ferris.

ENGLAND: M Tindall; I Balshaw; M Cueto; J Leonard; G Archer; P Volley; O Phillips; M Friday; Kn Yates; T May; S Brown; P Sampson. Manager: L Dallaglio.