The Ireland Women’s team to play England Women in the third round of the RBS Women’s 6 Nations has been named.

Coach Tom Tierney has made a single change to the team that lost out 5-10 to their French counterparts in the last outing of the tournament a fortnight ago.

Hannah Tyrrell comes back into the starting XV having completed her return to play protocols.She is joined by Alison Miller on the opposite wing and captain, Niamh Briggs at full back.

Jenny Murphy and Katie Fitzhenry make up the centre pairing while Nora Stapleton and Larissa Muldoon are named in the halfbacks.

Up front, Ruth O’Reilly, Gillian Bourke and Ailis Egan form the front row with Sophie Spence and Marie Louise Reilly named in the second row.

Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy and Heather O’Brien complete the pack.

Speaking ahead of the mid-tournament fixture, Tierney said “England are a formidable opposition, they are the world champions and we are under no illusions about the strength of this side. Training has gone well and look forward to playing back in front of a home side”

“It was a disappointing loss against France, but there were some positives to take out of it. We have dusted ourselves off and are ready for the next challenge”

Ireland Women’s Team & Replacements (v England Women. Ashbourne RFC, Meath – Friday 27th February, Kick-off 19.30hrs):

15 – Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/ Munster) (Capt)
14 – Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
13 – Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
12 – Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/ Leinster)
11 – Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10 – Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
9 – Larissa Muldoon (Skewen RFC)

1 – Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht)
2 – Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo RFC)
3 – Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
4 – Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
5 –Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
6 – Paula Fitzpatrick (St Marys/ Leinster)
7 – Claire Molloy (Bristol/ Connacht)
8 – Heather O’Brien (Highfield/ Munster)

16 – Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exiles)
17 – Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
18 – Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
19 – Orla Fitzsimons (St Marys/ Leinster)
20 – Katie Norris (Blackrock / Leinster)
21 – Tania Rosser (Blackrock/ Leinster)
22 – Jackie Shiels (Richmond/ Exiles)
23 – Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht)

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Women’s Fixtures and Results, Stream details and Ticket Costs:  

Fri 6 Feb 19:00 Italy 5 v Ireland 30
Fri 13 Feb 19:30 Ireland 5 v France 10
Fri 27 Feb 19:30 Ireland v England Ashbourne RFC – Stream: www.IrishRugby.ie – Tickets: €10.00 adults/ €5.00 for OAP/ Student/Child
Sun 15 Mar 12:00 Wales v Ireland Swansea RFC – Stream: www.S4C.co.uk – Ticket: £10.00 Adult/ No charge for OAP/ Student/Child
Sun 22 Mar 13:00 Scotland v Ireland Broadwood Stadium – Stream: TBC -Tickets: £5.00 Adult/ No charge for OAP/ Student/Child