Monaghan and Parsons return to boost Ireland

Location: Musgrave Park, Cork Date: Saturday, August 2 Kick-off: 2:00 BST

Sam Monaghan, Ireland’s captain, will make his international debut against Scotland on Saturday in Cork.

Since June 2024, the Gloucester-Hartpury lock has been out of the game playing for her club with a serious knee injury.

She will start for Scott Bemand’s side in the second row after suffering calf and hamstring injuries that prevented her return.

After missing the Six Nations because of her broken leg in December, Beibhinn Parsons gives her wing a second boost by putting her in the side.

After a 12-month absence, Eimear Corri-Fallon, who previously joined Monaghan in the second row, also comes back.

Ivana Kiripati and center Nancy McGillivray are expected to win their first caps from the beginning, while Ailish Quinn will do so if needed to take their place.

With Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird in reserve, there is plenty of forward experience around Quinn.

However, Ireland are without star back row Aoife Wafer and influential forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, both of whom have been ruled out of the World Cup.

The first of Ireland’s two warm-up games before the World Cup is against Scotland. On August 9 in Belfast, they will face Canada.