"A World Cup On Home Soil Is A Once In A Life Time Opportunity"
The Ireland Women's Rugby team head coach Tom Tierney has announced the 28 strong squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup.
Scrum-half Nicole Cronin is the only uncapped member of the squad.
There are 12 players included with previous World Cup experience; Ailis Egan, Heather O'Brien, Sophie Spence, Ashleigh Baxter, Paula Fitzpatrick, Alison Miller, Larissa Muldoon and Jenny Murphy were involved at France 2014.
Niamh Briggs will captain the side. Claire Molloy, Marie-Louise Reilly and Nora Stapleton are all set to compete at their third World Cup, having been involved in both 2010 and 2014.
Briggs return is a significant boost for the squad. She has struggled with a hamstring injury that kept her sidelined for the entire Six Nations campaign.
She hasn't lined-out for Ireland since last November's defeat to New Zealand.
Ireland will face Australia, Japan and France in Pool C on the 9th, 13th and 17th August in the UCD Bowl.
Head coach Tom Tierney has high hopes for the tournament: "Over the past three seasons we have been conscious of the need to build and develop a squad for this tournament.
“And as a result of the program many players have had the opportunity to prepare for this moment and play international rugby and show their skills at the highest level.
“We have named players who have been here before and are aware of the challenge that lies ahead and then there are a number of players in the squad for whom this will be their first ever World Cup and I am extremely confident they will compete for starting positions throughout the campaign.
“The players have been training consistently over the past number of months, and we have had a preparation that is far more comprehensive than previous campaigns. The anticipation and excitement has been building steadily amongst the players and the program has provided us every opportunity, so it is now up to us to put our best foot forward during this campaign.
“The opportunity to play in a World Cup on home soil is a once in a life time opportunity, and while we are in a tough pool with Australia, Japan and our Six Nations rivals France, I am sure the players will rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.”
Ireland Women's Squad – Women's Rugby World Cup 2017
Forwards
Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster)
Anna Caplice (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College RFC/Leinster)
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster)
Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht)
Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)
Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Backs
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster) Captain
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht)
Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster)
Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sene Naoupu (Harlequins FC)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)