Ireland will be without star number 8 Aoife Wafer for their final Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland on Saturday. Wafer Out of Scotland Trip becomes the biggest headline after she picked up a knee injury during last weekend’s big 40-14 win over Wales at Rodney Parade. The IRFU confirmed she wouldn’t be available for selection this week due to that injury. This is a tough blow for Scott Bemand’s side, who are currently sitting third on the table and already missing back row Erin King, who’s out long-term with a serious knee issue of her own.
With Wafer sidelined, Bemand has added some fresh faces to the squad. Two uncapped Munster and UL Bohemians players—Aoife Corey and Jane Clohessy—have been called up. Corey will be starting at full-back after catching eyes with her performances in the Celtic Challenge with the Clovers. Clohessy, who happens to be the daughter of former Ireland international Peter Clohessy, will get her chance from the bench.
The midfield remains unchanged, with Enya Breen and Aoife Dalton holding things down at inside and outside centre. The half-back pairing of Dannah O’Brien and Molly Scuffil-McCabe is also sticking together for another week.
Up front, Niamh O’Dowd is back from injury and will start in the front row with Neve Jones and Linda Djougang. Ruth Campbell and Fiona Tuite form the second row, giving Dorothy Wall the chance to move to blindside flanker. She joins captain Edel McMahon and Brittany Hogan in the back row.
On the bench, there’s plenty of support ready to go. The forward replacements are Cliodhna Moloney, Sadhbh McGrath, Christy Haney, Jane Clohessy, and Claire Boles. For the backs, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, and Stacey Flood round out the 23.
Heading into the match, Ireland has wins over Italy and Wales but fell short against France and England. Scotland, meanwhile, opened with a win against Wales but has dropped their last three games.
Ireland Starting XV: Aoife Corey; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O’Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Fiona Tuite; Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon (capt), Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Sadhbh McGrath, Christy Haney, Jane Clohessy, Claire Boles, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood.
