Seven uncapped players in Ireland's WXV squad

Scott Bemand looks towards the field from the touchline at the Aviva Stadium

Image source, InphoImage caption,

Ireland will play USA, Japan and South Africa in WXV Global series this autumn

ByJonathan BradleyBBC Sport NI senior journalist

Published17 minutes ago

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says it is "particularly pleasing" to name seven uncapped players who impressed in the Women's Interprovincial Championship in his squad for the WXV Global Series.

Forwards Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Beth Buttimer and Kate Jordan will all be hoping for a Test debut next month, as will backs Caitriona Finn, Lucia Linn and Alana McInerney.

Ireland will play USA and Japan at home in September, before a pair of October Tests against South Africa in the new format of WXV.

In between, they will also play a second game against Japan that does not form part of the series.

Munster trio Buttimer, Finn and McInerney were involved in the wider Six Nations squad this year, as were Connacht's Adams Verling and Ulster prop Barrett.

Second row Jordan and centre Linn, however, have been called up for the first time.

Munster have led the way in the Interprovinvial Championship with three wins from three and will play Leinster in the final of the competition on Saturday.

Connacht wing Beibhinn Parsons is also included despite missing the western province's first three games through injury.

"It's particularly pleasing to see seven uncapped players included," said Bemand.

"The Interpros highlighted the quality of talent coming through the system, and this is an excellent chance for those players to challenge themselves, bring their own strengths to the group and help raise standards as they push for international honours."

As well as those who have been fighting it out in the colours of their provinces this month, Bemand has also called on eight players based in England.

Gloucester Hartpury trio Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd and Sam Monaghan are all included, as are Brittany Hogan of Sale Sharks and Trailfinders' back-three player Niamh Gallagher.

Exeter's Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Dorothy Wall are also among the 36-player panel but there is no place in the squad for their Chiefs team-mate Nancy McGillivray.

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Ireland squad

Forwards: Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Beth Buttimer, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Jane Clohessy, Linda Djougang, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, Kate Jordan, Erin King, Sadhbh McGrath, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Niamh O'Dowd, Fiona Tuite O'Sullivan, Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, Dorothy Wall.

Backs: Enya Breen, Aoife Dalton, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Caitriona Finn, Stacey Flood, Niamh Gallagher, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Lucia Linn, Anna McGann, Alana McInerney, Robyn O'Connor, Dannah O'Brien, Beibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Katie Whelan.