Ireland’s first outing under the new regime in the 6 Nations could hardly be more testing. But at least the opposition is missing one or two key players.
France seem to be permanently short of first-choice wingers. The one uncapped player in the starting XV this time is Kelly Arbey, a 19-year-old from Stade Toulousain and, almost inevitably, once of the all-conquering national Under 18 squad. But no Llorens, no Banet, no Boujard.
Another surprise is the absence of Caroline Drouin, contrary to previous suggestions. Unless she is injured, it looks as though there is still uncertainty about the rights and wrongs of committing players to the 7s and 15s programme at the same time. So long as Lina Queyroi can provide a reliable link, the backs look capable of running past any number of road-blocks. Lina Tuy, from Jessy Trémoulière’s club, Romagnat, is added to the list as back-up at outside-half.
And the pack is a formidable unit.
Here are the two teams:
France
15 Emilie Boulard 14 *Kelly Arbey 13 Nassira Konde 12 Gabrielle Vernier 11 Marine Ménager 10 Lina Queyroi 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus 1 Annaëlle Deshayes 2 Agathe Sochat 3 Assia Khalfaoui 4 Manae Feleu 5 Madoussou Fall 6 Charlotte Escudero 7 Gaëlle Hermet 8 Romane Ménager
16 Elisa Riffonneau 17 Ambre Mwayembe 18 Clara Joyeux 19 Kiara Zago 20 Emeline Gros 21 Alex Chambon 22 *Lina Tuy 23 Morgane Bougeois
*uncapped
Ireland
15 Lauren Delany 14 *Katie Corrigan 13 Eve Higgins 12 Aoife Dalton 11 Béibhinn Parsons 10 Nicole Fowley 9 Aoibheann Reilly 1 Linda Djougang 2 Neve Jones 3 Christy Haney 4 Dorothy Wall, 5 Hannah O’Connor 6 Aoife Wafe 7 Edel McMahon (captain) 8 Brittany Hogan
16 Sarah Delaney 17 Niamh O’Dowd 18 Sadhbh McGrath 19 Fiona Tuite 20 Grace Moore 21 Molly Scuffil-McCabe 22 Dannah O’Brien 23 Méabh Deely
*uncapped
Any chance of a 0-0 draw?
No! For the sake of the competition as a whole we must hope this doesn’t turn into a home walkover. We need all the tight results we can get.
But with the best will in the world it’s hard to see this Irish pick making many dents in the French armour. Sam Monaghan hasn’t completed her return-to-fitness protocols yet. The half-back combo is the least recognisable of the six teams embarking on a new championship; Nicole Fowley last played in green in 2019.
Scott Bemand has wisely allowed Dannah O’Brien to step back to the bench; it was a huge challenge for her last year orchestrating the team’s attacks with so little experience outside her.
Fortunately for the visitors the French haven’t been at their best recently; they know they have a lot to prove. Their performance in WXV saw them fall well below expectations. But now, with most of their important ingredients restored to the colours, they should be too strong for the Irish.
Now at least some of the 7s squad that won a first gold medal in Perth are able to turn out. The addition of Eve Higgins and Béibhinn Parsons to the back line can only help the Irish cause.
Bemand’s hesitancy over the question of Cliodhna Moloney’s return to the colours is confirmed by her absence from the 23. Lucky the team that can disregard her, you might think.
Dispelling bad memories
Possibly the most important member of the Irish management ream is Seán Ryan, the leadership and culture lead. His appointment reminds you of New Zealand’s use of a person in charge of cultural and personnel matters, after the review into the damaging aftermath of the 2021 European tour.
Between them, Ryan and Bemand have the task of putting memories of last year’s winless showing behind the team; reminding them of the qualities they have in their midst.
Against that, we can recall Claire Molloy’s verdict last November: Irish rugby was ‘scraping by’. It remains to be seen how far the players and management can prove that view outdated.
Bemand wants his young side to seize the opportunity, to enjoy the experience. Playing away in France is one of the great challenges you can have as a player.
The target is third place in the table, enough to qualify them for WXV1. Bemand says he has a good relationship with his 7s opposite number, Allan Temple-Jones, but that doesn’t mean all of the 7s players will remain available through the tournament.
Details:
Saturday 23 March; KO 14.15
Venue: Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans
Referee: Kat Roche
Coverage in UK: BBC Red Button, iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app.
