England’s pros have the edge on Ireland
THE Ireland women’s team head into this afternoon’s Six Nations clash with England shorn of their teenage sensation Beibhinn Parsons.
The flying wing is unavailable for the rest of the tournament as she turns her attention to the Leaving Cert. In Parsons’ absence, head coach Adan Griggs has drafted in Aoife Doyle to fill the slot on the wing.
The only other change to the side which thrashed Wales
31-12 in Donnybrook two weeks ago is in midfield, with Sevens star Katie Fitzhenry replacing Michelle Claffey.
Unbeaten Ireland face a daunting task at a sold-out Castle Park in Doncaster against a star-studded English side, containing the likes of Emily Scarratt, Jess Breach and Sarah Hunter.
Ireland go into the game buoyed by recent wins over Scotland and Wales but will be mindful of the threat posed by the hosts, who inflicted a 51-7 hammering on Griggs’ side in Dublin last season. But Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney insists her side will have no fear today against a fully professional English outfit which hammered the Scots 53-0 last time out.
‘We always love playing England regardless of where we are at as a team,’ she said.
‘Ireland against England is always a cracker and we always bring everything we can for them. It will be tough away from home, but we’re building nicely towards it.
‘The pressure will only come for ourselves; we won’t be worried about anyone else. We’re looking at where we can exploit them but focusing a lot on ourselves.
‘We’re getting better at certain things and might drop off on other things, but it’s about fixing them week on week.
‘If we can get everything together, there’s nothing to say we couldn’t beat England and why not? That’s what you go out to do.
‘If we can keep everyone injury-free and up on their feet, that’s the most important thing. The team is in a good place.’