Clohessy and Gallagher handed first Ireland starts

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has handed first starts to Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher for Saturday’s Test with Japan.

The trio of Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan and Alana McInerney are set to make their Ireland debuts off the bench.

Ireland defeated Japan in the WXV Global Series in Galway on Sunday and the sides will face off again in a Test at Virgin Media Park in Cork.

Bemand’s side are back in WXV action with a double-header with South Africa later in October.

Munster’s Clohessy will win her third cap with a maiden start in the second row, while full-back Gallagher has been named in the starting team for the first time.

Despite the chance to offer new faces experience, there are also plenty of experienced names in Bemand’s line-up.

Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilis Cahill make up the front row, with Clohessy and Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan in the second row.

Erin King captains the side from flanker, and she is joined in the back row by Brittany Hogan and Jemima Adams Verling.

Emily Lane and Dannah O’Brien retain their half-back partnership, while Anna McGann, who has won the majority of her 19 Ireland caps on the wing, will partner Aoife Dalton at centre.

The back three is made up of Beibhinn Parsons and Robyn O’Connor, who join Gallagher on her first start.

Key back row Aoife Wafer will not be risked in the Test after a “minor” training injury kept her out of the team to face Japan last Sunday.

Ireland: Niamh Gallagher; Beibhinn Parsons; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton; Robyn O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilis Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan; Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen, Alana McInerney.

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