The world knows – the Irish have come on in leaps and bounds in the past two years.
The central question is whether they can overcome a series of injury doubts and setbacks to do themselves justice. (full list below)
Their recent record at the RWC is none too promising. Their performance in their own RWC in 2017 was devastating; it cost them a place in the 2021/22 version, and the head coach his post.
Only the coming tournament will reveal whether they have rebuilt sufficient player-depth to forget an unhappy past.
They have to do without both Dorothy Wall and Erin King, and Christy Heany becomes a late withdrawal. Commiserations to her.
The good news is the return to the colours of Edel McMahon and especially Aoife Wafer, though we can’t be sure they will be match-fit from the start. The medics will be hard at work.
It’s been a testing time for Scott Bemand too. He’s been like an army major in the RAMC in wartime, checking daily casualty lists.
In the event there are few surprises: Beth Buttimer becomes the only uncapped player to find favour; it might have been more. She made a good impression at the U20 Six Nations Summer Series, such a useful nursery.
Then the late addition of two ‘English’ players of different vintage. El Perry gained several caps for the Red Roses at loose-head, but long enough ago for her to qualify for a green shirt. Her presence shores up a potential weakness: Niamh O’Dowd has had some tough times at the set-scrum.
Nancy McGillivray, much younger, got close to English recognition; but has seized her chance now.
The Irish schedule gives them a decent chance of advancing into the quarters. They need two solid wins against Japan and Spain, before they take on the Black Ferns in September.
That would be a third victory over the world champs. Bring it on!
Forwards
CLAIRE BOLES
BETH BUTTIMER
RUTH CAMPBELL
EIMEAR CORRI FALLON
LINDA DJOUGANG
BRITTANY HOGAN
NEVE JONES
IVANA KIRIPATI
SIOBHAN McCARTHY
SADHBH McGRATH
EDEL McMAHON (co-captain)
CLIODHNA MOLONEY-MACDONALD
SAM MONAGHAN (co-captain)
GRACE MOORE
NIAMH O’DOWD
ELLENA PERRY
FIONA TUITE
AOIFE WAFER (18)
Backs
ENYA BREEN
AMEE-LEIGH COSTIGAN
AOIFE DALTON
MEADH DEELY
STACEY FLOOD
NICOLE FOWLEY
EVE HIGGINS
EMILY LANE
ANNA McGANN
NANCY McGILLIVRAY
DANNAH O’BRIEN
BEIBHINN PARSONS
AOIBHEANN REILLY
MOLLY SCUFFIL-McCABE (14)
