Ireland’s McMahon fit to start World Cup opener

Women’s Rugby World Cup – Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12: 00 BST

Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon has recovered from injury to start Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton.

Exeter’s McMahon did not play in either of Ireland’s two warm-up games because of a knee issue, but is named at open-side flanker in one of four changes from the warm-up defeat by Canada on 9 August.

McMahon will lead the team alongside Sam Monaghan, who starts in the second row. Monaghan’s inclusion at lock means Fiona Tuite moves into the back row alongside Ulster team-mate Brittany Hogan and McMahon.

In midfield, head coach Scott Bemand has selected Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins, with Enya Breen dropping to the bench and Nancy McGillivray not in the squad.

Having not been included for the loss to Canada, wing Amee-Leigh Costigan returns to the back three alongside Stacey Flood and Beibhinn Parsons, who scored two tries against the Canadians.

Aoibheann Reilly and Dannah O’Brien continue their half-back partnership.

“We’ve picked a squad we feel is appropriate for getting the performance and the result out of this first game”, said Bemand.

Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang start in an unchanged front row.

Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, the only player in Ireland’s squad with World Cup experience, is the replacement hooker on the bench alongside former England prop Ellena Perry, who made her Ireland debut in the warm-up win over Scotland earlier this month.

Star back row Aoife Wafer – who was named Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament earlier this year – was ruled out by Ireland earlier this week.

Wafer, 22, has remained in Dublin to continue her recovery from knee surgery, but is expected to link up with the squad after the Japan game.

Sunday’s game at Franklin’s Gardens will be Ireland’s first in the World Cup since 2017, having failed to qualify for the 2021 tournament.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to fellow back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.