Whole raft of changes for Scott Bemand as Ireland prepare for Canadian test

Extra.ie​

6 days ago

Scott Bemand has made 10 changes to the Ireland team that beat Scotland last Saturday as they march up to Belfast to face World Number 2 side Canada at Affidea Stadium.
Hooker Neve Jones will co-captain the side with Sam Monaghan also co-captaining off the bench as Jones is joined in an all new front row alongside Niamh O'Dowd and Linda Djougang.
Fiona Tuite and Ruth Campbell come into the second row in place of Monaghan and Eimear Corri-Fallon. Meanwhile the back row remains unchanged with Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati and Brittany Hogan keeping their places after last week's win against the Scots. Neve Jones. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
There are more changes in the backline as Aoibheann Reilly gets the start at scrum-half in place of Molly Scuffil-McCabe. She is partnered by Dannah O'Brien in the half-backs as O'Brien keeps her starting place. There's a new centre partnership this week as Enya Breen and Aoife Dalton come in place of Eve Higgins and Nancy McGillivray.
Beibhinn Parsons starts again this weekend after coming through her return match well against Scotland. Amee-Leigh Costigan is rested for this match as Anna McGann gets a run out on the wing and Stacey Flood returns at fullback, replacing Meadbh Deely. Béibhinn Parsons. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
In terms of substitutes Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Eimear Corri-Fallon and Eve Higgins all drop to the bench after starting last week. Meanwhile Emily Lane starts from the bench once again this weekend and Claire Boles also makes the bench but one of the most interesting selections is that of Ellena Perry.
The loosehead prop who plays for Gloucester Hartpury is in line to make her Ireland debut having previously lined out with the Red Roses. Perry qualifies to play for Ireland through her maternal grandmother and has won 11 caps for England but the last of them came in 2020 meaning under World Rugby eligibility laws she is free to play for Ireland.
Speaking ahead of Ireland's match against Canada this Saturday, Head Coach Scott Bemand talked about his experience working with Perry when he was part of the England coaching ticket and her journey over the past few years to now being on the cusp of representing Ireland this weekend and potentially at the World Cup. Ellena Perry. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
'Elle was always a highly, highly valued prop in that system. She's obviously, a couple of years ago, she picked up a niggle. She's a mother and she has a young child, which is class. And so she's brought this sort of wealth of experience and maturity to a group that adds to us. So she's been absolutely brilliant. Yes, I would consider her, but obviously we'll make that call after the game on the weekend.'
Bemand mentioned that she has been with the squad since the start of Block 3 of Training Camp and was called up after Christy Haney picked up a hamstring knock. The Head Coach mentioned how her link with numerous of Irish players at Gloucester Hartpury and the Premiership Women's Rugby in England helped her settle in. Elena Perry. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
'So, obviously, the connection that Elle has with some of our experienced players as well, you know, girls that have, the two that are captaining. So, obviously, Sam [Monaghan] and Neve Jones, she plays week in, week out with them at Gloucester Hartbury.
'So, in terms of how she is around the group, there's, we've already got a jumpstart. Start on that. So I think we're bringing in on-pitch talent and I think we're bringing off-pitch experience and maturity, which helps add to the group.'
Bemand talked about using the Irish Qualified [IQ] system to recruit players, with Nancy McGIllivray also being identified through the system and made her debut last week. Nancy McGillivray with her first cap after the game. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
'As a nation, as we grow our squad depth, as we grow our playing pathways, we also have to be cognizant of people that are Irish and identify as being Irish and that play over in the UK, for example.
'So I think it's been a great opportunity to add to a group both from an on-pitch perspective, which is clear to see. If anybody looks back through England footage, you'll see I've worked with her in that space before.' Scott Bemand. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Bemand will make his final decision this weekend before annoucing the Ireland World Cup squad next Monday August 11. But first Ireland have a tough challenge at hand against Canada in Belfast, with kick off at 2pm from the Affidea Stadium and the match is available to watch on IrishRugby+.
Ireland Squad to face Canada: S Flood, B Parsons, A Dalton, E Breen, A McGann, D O'Brien, A Reilly, N O'Dowd, N Jones (Co-C), L Djougang, R Campbell, F Tuite, G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan. Replacements: C Moloney-MacDonald, E Perry, S McGrath, E Corri-Fallon, S Monaghan, C Boles, E Lane, E Higgins.