Sligo’s Nicole Fowley has been named at outhalf on the Ireland senior women’s rugby team for Saturday’s World 15s tournament game against Colombia in Dubai.
Galway-based Fowley, who’s the current Connacht captain, is one of three changes named by head coach Scott Bemand to the team that hammered Kazakstan (109-0) in their opening match last weekend.
Fowley was half-time substitute in last Saturday’s game.
She now comes in from the start at No 10 for Dannagh O’Brien at out-half and Aoibheann Reilly replaces Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half.
In the back row, Eimear Corri starts in place of Dorothy Wall.
This new women’s international rugby union tournament, the WXV, is taking place in Dubai during the month of October.
Ireland have three matches against Kazakhstan, Colombia and Spain.
Saturday’s game against Colombians takes place in the Sevens Stadium in Dubai at 2pm Irish time.
Ireland team
Méabh Deely, Béibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Natasja Behan, Nicole Fowley, Aoibheann Reilly, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Eimear Corri, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan. Replacements: Sarah Delaney, Niamh O’Dowd, Megan Collis, Fiona Tuite, Dorothy Wall, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Dannah O’Brien, Leah Tarpey.
