Women's Six Nations: Debutant Katie Corrigan named in Ireland team for opener

Ireland have handed a debut to Leinster wing Katie Corrigan for Saturday's Women's Six Nations opener against France at Stade Marie-Marvingt.

The 18-year-old wins her first cap after impressing during the recent Celtic Challenge competition.

Edel McMahon captains the side as co-captain Sam Monaghan continues return to play protocols after concussion.

Nicole Fowley starts at fly-half as she makes her first Six Nations appearance since 2019.

Fowley made her international comeback in October for the WXV3 series in Dubai against Kazakhstan.

Ireland forwards coach John McKee indicated that Monaghan had come into the Ireland camp with an injury and "was not quote ready" to take her place in the side to face the French.

"We expect her to be fully fit for the second round. We were hoping she would be ready for this week but she is not quite there.

"At a push she could perhaps have been on the pitch but in terms of the bigger picture we thought it best to give her an extra week.

Corrigan is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany at full-back with Beibhinn Parsons on the other wing.

Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins make up the centre pairing, while Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Dannah O'Brien and Méabh Deely provide the backline options on the replacements' bench.

Up front, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney are selected in the front row, with Dorothy Wall and Hannah O'Connor in the second row.

McMahon is joined in the back row by Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan. Sarah Delaney, Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite and Grace Moore are the forward replacements.

Commenting on the selection, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand said: "We are all very excited to get our Women's Six Nations campaign underway and we come into this weekend ready to put a confident performance out there.

"We have had a good block of preparation with players returning and we are ready to compete. I'm looking forward to seeing all the hard work come together on Saturday and what a place to kick start our Six Nations, in Stade Marie-Marvingt."

Ireland: Lauren Delany; Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons; Nicole Fowley, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Hannah O'Connor; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Sarah Delaney, Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Dannah O'Brien, Méabh Deely.