Bemand makes 10 changes for Ireland's final World Cup warm-up clash against Canada

Neve Jones will co-captain the side with Sam Monaghan, who starts this week on the bench.

Thu, 07 Aug, 2025 - 10:24

Cian Locke

Head coach Scott Bemand has named his Ireland squad for their last Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Canada in Affidea Stadium (formerly Kingspan Stadium) on Saturday, August 9 (kick-off, 12pm).

Bemand has made 10 changes to the starting line-up from the win over Scotland last weekend. Neve Jones will co-captain the side with Sam Monaghan, who starts this week on the bench.

In the pack, Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang join Jones in the front-row. Fiona Tuite and Ruth Campbell make up the engine room, and last week’s back-row of Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati and Brittany Hogan is retained.

In the backs, Aoibheann Reilly partners Dannah O’Brien again in the half-backs. Enya Breen accompanies Aoife Dalton in the centre with Anna McGann, Béibhinn Parsons and Stacey Flood in the backfield.

Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Monaghan and Claire Boles are the forwards available on the bench, with backs Emily Lane and Eve Higgins completing Ireland’s 23.

Former England front-row Perry is set to make her Ireland debut after being named among the replacements.

The Gloucester-Hartpury prop has 11 England caps, making her last Red Roses appearance in 2020.

Bemand said: "Having another opportunity to test ourselves is essential in the run up to the Rugby World Cup and we know Canada will provide us with a really strong test.

"Last week we fought back hard from conceding early tries and we know we will need to start stronger this week. There is a lot at stake with the squad for the Rugby World Cup being announced early next week."

Ireland: S Flood (Railway Union RFC / Leinster); B Parsons (Blackrock College / Connacht), A Dalton (Old Belvedere / Leinster), E Breen (Blackrock College / Munster), A McGann (Railway Union / Connacht); D O’Brien (Old Belvedere / Leinster), A Reilly (Blackrock College / Connacht); N O’Dowd (Old Belvedere / Leinster), N Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), L Djougang (Old Belvedere / Leinster); R Campbell (Old Belvedere / Leinster), F Tuite (Old Belvedere / Ulster); G Moore (Trailfinders / IQ Rugby), I Kiripati (Creggs / Connacht), B Hogan (Old Belvedere / Ulster).

Replacements: C Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), E Perry (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), S McGrath (Cooke / Ulster), E Corri Fallon (Blackrock College / Leinster), S Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), C Boles (Railway Union / Ulster), E Lane (Blackrock College / Ulster), E Higgins (Railway Union / Leinster).