Five uncapped players in Ireland women's squad

Ireland head coach Tom Tierney has included five uncapped players in his squad for the Women's Six Nations.

The Girls in Green will be looking for a strong tournament ahead of this year's Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be played in Dublin and Belfast, and Tierney has opted for a blend of youth and experience for the Six Nations, which begins on Friday week.

Props Ilse Van Staden (Cooke and Ulster) and Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians and Connacht), scrum-half Ailsa Hughes from Railway Union and Leinster, out-half Jemma Jackson from Cooke and Ulster and wing Eimear Considine have all been included in the squad.

Niamh Briggs will once against captain the side.

"It's set to be a busy and exciting year for this team, and it all gets underway next Friday against Scotland," Tierney said.

"While we had some tough games in November, the experience the players gained in those matches will stand to them as we head into the Six Nations Championship.

"There is a good blend of youth and experience in the squad, and having had weekly camps since Christmas, we've been working hard getting our structures in place and making sure everyone knows their job.

"The fact that all of our games will be broadcast this season adds an additional element of excitement to the campaign so everyone is looking forward to it all getting underway.”

Ireland face Scotland in their opening fixture on Friday, February 3 before travelling to L'Aquila to face Italy eight days later.

France visit Donnybrook on Sunday, February 26 with the penultimate game against Wales scheduled for Saturday, March 11 in the Cardiff Arms Park.

The Girls in Green will host England in their final game on St Patrick's Day.

Ireland Women's 2017 Six Nations Squad

Forwards:
Elaine Anthony (Highfield / Munster)

Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians / Munster)

Ciara Cooney (Railway Union / Leinster)

Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere / Leinster)

Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College / Leinster)

Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's College / Leinster)

Nichola Fryday (Tullamore / Connacht)

Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians / Munster)

Leah Lyons (Highfield / Munster)

Claire Molloy (Bristol / Connacht)

Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union / Leinster)

Heather O'Brien (Highfield / Munster)

Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians / Connacht)*

Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians / Connacht)

Lindsay Peat (Railway Union / Leinster)

Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)

Ilse Van Staden (Cooke / Ulster)*

Backs:
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians / Munster) Captain

Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians / Munster)*

Mairead Coyne (Galwegians / Connacht)

Aine Donnelly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)

Mary Healy (Galwegians / Connacht)

Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union / Leinster)*

Jemma Jackson (Cooke / Ulster)*

Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians / Munster)

Claire McLaughlin (Cooke / Ulster)

Alison Miller (Old Belvedere / Connacht)

Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere / Leinster)

Sene Naoupu (Ayslesford Bulls)

Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere / Leinster)

*denotes uncapped player

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