Wales vs Ireland line-ups: Team news ahead of Women’s Six Nations fixture

Wales and Ireland begin their 2023 Women’s Six Nations campaigns with a meeting in Cardiff.

The hosts will hope to continue to build on an encouraging performance at the World Cup in New Zealand, with full-time contracts introduced at the start of 2022 beginning to show their value.

Ireland, who missed out on qualification for the World Cup, begin a Women’s Six Nations campaign with professional contracts for the first time, though a number of players have elected to turn down full-time deals to remain with their clubs in England.

Greg McWilliams’s side are also expected to be without their sevens stars for the duration of the campaign, leaving the head coach without several likely backline starters.

Here’s everything you need to know:

When is Wales vs Ireland?

Wales vs Ireland is due to kick off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 25 March at Cardiff Arms Park in the Welsh capital.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Women’s Six Nations on the BBC, with coverage of Wales vs Ireland on the BBC iPlayer, red button and via the BBC Sport website or app.

Team news

Wales coach Ioan Cunningham has named a largely settled Welsh side as he looks to continue to build his team. Hannah Jones again captains in midfield, where she is alongside Kerin Lake, while Jasmine Joyce’s participation with GB Sevens means Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann and former England international Carys Williams-Morris fill the back three.

Up front, converted lock Sisilia Tuipulotu gets a first Six Nations start at tighthead prop, while Bethan Lewis is backed at number eight ahead of the experienced Sioned Harries. Swansea-born back row Kate Williams, who spent her childhood in New Zealand, awaits a debut from the bench. Alisha Butchers is a major absentee.

Ireland meanwhile, hand out a first cap in their starting side. Ulster prop Sadhbh McGrath one of two potential debutant looseheads in the matchday 23, with Niamh O’Dowd her uncapped back-up on the bench. Nichola Fryday skippers the side in a talented second row combination with Sam Monaghan.

Three of the backline will make Six Nations debuts: Méabh Deely, Aoife Dalton and Natasja Behan all earned their first opportunities in an Ireland shirt against Japan last summer. Edel McMahon and Aoife Wafer have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Line-ups

Wales XV: Gwen Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu; Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb; Georgia Evans, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis; Keira Bevan, Elinor Snowsill; Carys Williams-Morris, Kerin Lake, Hannah Jones (capt.), Lisa Neumann; Courtney Keight.

Replacements: Kat Evans, Caryl Thomas, Cerys Hale, Kate Williams, Sioned Harries; Ffion Lewis, Lleucu George, Hannah Bluck.

Ireland XV: Sadhbh McGrath, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Nichola Fryday, Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Maeve Og O’Leary, Brittany Hogan; Molly Schuffil-McCabe, Nicole Cronin; Natasja Behan, Enya Breen, Aoife Dalton, Aoife Doyle; Meabh Deely.

Replacements: Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Niamh O’Dowd, Christy Haney, Jo Brown, Grace Moore Hannah O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Vicky Irwin.

Prediction

Ireland are significantly depleted by a number of high-profile absentees, particularly in their backline, which, though talented, has a slightly callow look. A more settled Welsh side should have enough to take victory. Wales 25-15 Ireland