Ireland team named for second test in Japan

Greg McWilliams has named his team to face Japan tomorrow, making three changes from the first-test side.

A number of injuries have meant for some adjustments to the squad after Ireland’s 57-22 victory last week. Dorothy Wall and Monaghan are unavailable due to injury while first test substitutes Christy Haney and Nicole Cronin will also miss out.

Jo Brown has been named to make her debut tomorrow against the Sakura Fifteen, as well as Emma Tilly and Jess Keating should they come off the bench.

McWilliams was adventurous with his selection for the first tie, naming six uncapped players. However a number them hugely impressed in the comeback victory in Shizuoka, and McWilliams went on to call them ‘the future of Irish rugby.’ Three in particular, Aoife Dalton, Dannah O’Brien, Leah Tarpey, as well as the now named Tilly, won the PwC Under-18 Interprovincial title with Leinster last September.

“We were really pleased with last weekend’s victory and it was a reward for the hard work the whole group have put in over the course of the summer programme, but the focus for us has been on improving, growing and being better on Saturday,” McWilliams told Irish Rugby.

Dalton and O’Brien really stood out, Dalton marking her debut with a try from midfield while O’Brien caught everyone’s eye at out-half and kicked 12 points. Technical Advisor and forwards coach John McKee hailed O’Brien’s performance in the number 10 shirt, saying “she was quite calm and collected under pressure in that game last Saturday.”

Speaking to Irish Rugby, 20-times capped Ireland player Edel McMahon added to the praise of O’Brien. “She has definitely showed the ability that she has, she’s got a great boot, so I definitely think there’s a lot more to come from Dannah. She’s only starting to get going.”

Tomorrow’s second test is live from Tokyo on TG4 from 10.40am Irish time.

21 year old sports journalist from Drogheda. Student at Dublin City University. Drogheda United Correspondent for FinalWhistle.ie

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