Ireland’s squad of 29 to tour Japan next month has its surprises. Two more ex-Red Roses have switched allegiance, this time to wear the emerald shirt. They are Jo Brown of Worcester Warriors and Clara Nielson of Exeter Chiefs.
The second point of interest is the return of those mysterious initials TBC (that is, club to be confirmed). They remind us that we are in the transfer season and rumours abound. Most significant is the name of Sam Monaghan near the bottom of the list. Is she yet another Wasps player on the move? The Irish Independent suggests that Enya Breen might be heading to Sandy Park.
Once more Cliodhna Moloney’s name is missing from the ranks. Until the IRFU can convince us it is not the reason, we have to assume that it still holds her diatribe against it and the previous head coach as reason enough to keep her at arm’s length.
Sadly, eight players: Alice O’Dowd, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Wafer, Eimear Considine, Ellen Murphy, Kathryn Dane, Nikki Caughey and Niamh Byrne, are all unavailable to tour.
Still no news yet of contracts, or of a new structure for elite club rugby in Ireland. The likely effect: yet more players finding their way into Premier 15s clubs for next season.
The eight uncapped players introduced here remind us that McWilliams has time on his side. His long-term target will be the 2025 World Cup in England. He has plenty of scope to try out new talent, some of it coming through the new academy programme.
The squad:
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union)
Aoife Dalton (Tullamore) *
Aoife Doyle (Railway Union)
Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian)
Christy Haney (Blackrock College)
Clara Nielson (Exeter Chiefs) *
Dannah O’Brien (Tullow) *
Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College)
Edel McMahon (Wasps)
Emma Hooban (Blackrock College)
Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall) *
Enya Breen (TBC)
Grace Moore (Saracens)
Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College)
Jo Brown (Worcester Warriors) *
Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union)
Kayla Waldron (Hamilton Hawks) *
Laura Feely (Blackrock College)
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks)
Leah Tarpey (Tullamore) *
Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat)
Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College)
Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union)
Natasja Behan (Blackrock College)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Nichola Fryday (captain, Exeter Chiefs)
Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian)
Sam Monaghan (TBC)
Taryn Schutzler (Saracens) *
* = uncapped
The Tests:
August 20 Japan v Ireland, Ecopa Stadium, Fukuroi City, Shizuoka
August 27 Japan v Ireland, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
