Ireland Announces Squad for Scotland Warm-Up Game with Several Debutants

Nancy McGillivray and Ivana Kiripati will make their Ireland debuts against Scotland on August 2nd. McGillivray qualifies through her Irish father and was formerly contracted to England. Sam Monaghan returns to captain the side after a lengthy lay-off, while Kiripati and Ailish Quinn also make their debuts. The match is Ireland's first Rugby World Cup warm-up game in Virgin Media Park.

Ireland has announced its squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Scotland, set to take place on August 2nd at Virgin Media Park in Cork. The match is Ireland's first warm-up game ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which will be held in England from August 22 to September 27.

Key Players and Debuts

The team features several notable players and debuts. Nancy McGillivray, a centre, and Ivana Kiripati, a back row, will make their international debuts for Ireland. McGillivray, who qualifies through her Irish father, was formerly contracted to England. Kiripati will be joined by Ailish Quinn, who is also making her debut from the bench. These debuts highlight the depth and talent within the Irish squad.

Sam Monaghan, who suffered a serious knee injury in June 2024, returns to the team as the captain. She will start in the second row, marking her comeback after a lengthy lay-off.

Team Selection and Bench

The matchday squad includes 23 players, with a strong emphasis on both experience and youth. The team is led by captain Sam Monaghan, with Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum half and Dannah O’Brien at out half. The forwards include Siobhán McCarthy, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, and Sadhbh McGrath in the front row, and Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, and Brittany Hogan in the back row. The backs feature Béibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan in the centre, with Neve Jones and Niamh O’Dowd among the forwards available on the bench.

Scott Bemand's Comments

Scott Bemand, the head coach, commented on the team selection, stating, "This is the first real opportunity for players to put their hands up for World Cup selection, and that’s brought great intensity to our work in camp. We’ve seen real growth in this group since we assembled at the start of June, and now it’s about transferring that onto the pitch. There’s a lot of competition for places, which is exactly what we want heading into a major tournament."

Opposition and Upcoming Matches

Scotland, who will also be playing their last warm-up match before the Rugby World Cup, will be a formidable opponent. The match is set to kick off at 2:00 PM local time and will be live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Ireland will face Canada in their second warm-up fixture on August 9th in Belfast.

Conclusion

The match against Scotland promises to be a crucial test for Ireland as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup. The inclusion of debutants and the return of key players like Sam Monaghan signal a strong and competitive squad. The game will be closely watched as a gauge of Ireland's form and readiness for the tournament.

References

[1] https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/07/31/ireland-team-named-for-clash-with-scotland/
[2] https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c5ykdd789dno
[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0j911l1g3vo