But only in announcements! Barely an hour or so after we learned of Scotland’s training squad, Scott Bemand offered his selection of 36 players.
It is:
Backs: *ALANA McKENERNY, ANNA McGANN, AOIBHEANN REILLY, AOIFE DALTON, BEIBHINN PARSONS, *CAITRIONA FINN, DANNAH O’BRIEN, EMILY LANE, ENYA BREEN, EVE HIGGINS, NANCY McGILLIVRAY, *NIAMH GALLAGHER, *ROBYN O’CONNOR, STACEY FLOOD, VICKY ELMES KINLAN (15)
Forwards: *JEMIMA ADAMS VERLING, *SOPHIE BARRETT, *BETH BUTTIMER, *EILIS CAHILL, RUTH CAMPBELL, JANE CLOHESSY, LINDA DJOUGANG, BRITTANY HOGAN, NEVE JONES, ERIN KING (captain), *AOIBHEANN McGRATH, SAIDHBH McGRATH, CLIODHNA MOLONEY-MACDONALD, SAM MONAGHAN, GRACE MOORE, NIAMH O’DOWD, ELLENA PERRY, AILISH QUINN, FIONA TUITE, AOIFE WAFER, DOROTHY WALL. (21)
* uncapped
This looks a thoroughly formidable unit. My one concern is the small number of backs. They are highly talented, but if injuries occur?
As a further contrast to the Scots (two players fewer), Bemand has included only eleven players based in England. That is a measure of the strength of the AIL, a marked advance over its rival Scottish and Welsh leagues.
I’m especially pleased to see two names included: Niamh Gallagher, who has replaced the injured Julia Schell at full-back for Trailfinders with great success; and Caitriona Finn, who can provide much-needed relief for Dannah O’Brien at 10.
Absences
For once these are are kept to a blessed minimum. Amee-Leigh Costigan, last year’s captain, misses out for the best of reasons: she is expecting to double the size of her nuclear family.
Form-guide
Ireland came close to another semi-final appearance at the World Cup, going down only 13-18 to France in the quarters.
Irish fans are expecting a third place in the coming 6N at the very least. Their fixture-card will help decide whether they can make the big leap into the top two.
Schedule
R1 v England away
R2 v Italy home
R3 v France away
R4 v Wales home
R5 v Scotland home
They have the advantage of three home games, all of which should be bankers. Can they possibly undo France away? The two big ones are on the first day in front of a record-breaking crowd in TW2; then on the last day, a first visit to the Aviva where a second record attendance awaits them
Heady times.
