Sam Monaghan returns from injury to start in the second row for Ireland in their final 2022 Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland at Kingspan Stadium.

Monaghan has been one of the few bright spots for a disappointing Ireland outfit this year, and is one of three changes for boss Greg McWilliams ahead of the clash. Vicky Irwin is drafted into the the team to make her debut at 15, whilst Nikki Caughley replaces the injured Nicole Cronin at outside half in Saturday’s dead rubber clash. 

However, Ireland head into this contest with much to prove. McWilliams’ team will be looking for revenge against Scotland, after Bryan Eassom’s team eliminated them from World Cup qualification in their 18-20 defeat to Scotland in September last year.

While both teams will be looking to end a disappointing campaign on a high, with Scotland looking to avoid getting a clean sweep of losses in the competition. 

The tournament has been a case of what could have been for the Scots, after they were ahead against both Wales and Italy. But failed to close out the games and lost by a combined 12 point margin. Eassom’s team instead had to settle for losing bonus points and are still searching for that elusive win.

Scotland are on an embarrassing run of 16 consecutive Six Nations defeats and haven’t tasted victory in the Six Nations since defeating Ireland 12-15 in March 2018 at Donnybrook, but can end four years of heartbreak with a win on Saturday. Eassom’s team could finish as high as fourth with a win and a favour from Wales, who face Italy. 

However, Ireland haven’t fared much better in 2022 and will be looking for just their second win of the tournament. McWilliams’ team have picked up just one win so far in the competition, registering a 29-8 win over Italy in Cork on the 10th April.

McWilliams’ team will also be looking to rebound after last weekend’s 69-0 defeat against Grand Slam chasing England. Ireland produced a valiant first half effort to restrict England to just two tries in the first period, before the Red Roses produced an attacking masterclass to score 59 second half points. 

However, history favours Ireland in this fixture, with McWilliams’ team winning four of their last five matches against Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations. Tomorrow’s game marks the first Six Nations meeting in two years between the sides, and first since Ireland edged Scotland 18-14 back in February 2020.