Former England, Ireland players to face each other ahead of Women's World Cup final

Former Ireland and England players will come together for the first time in an Ireland Women's Legends v England Women's Legends game ahead of the final of the ongoing edition of Women's World Cup.

Rosie Foley, who was capped 39 times for Ireland has led the planning for the game that will take place in Belfast at Malone RFC at 7.30pm on Friday 25th August.

Ireland features a elite list of players that include Patrique Kelly, Maura Coulter, Nicki Milne, Elaine Collins along with the recently retired Grace Davitt, Coghlan and Tania Rossier and England are no less as they have named the likes of Gill Burns, Helen Clayton, Sue Day, Becky Essex and Ceri Large for the encounter.

Ireland's first ever woman's coach Alain Rolland has been named as the referee for the game while Philip Doyle and Carol Isherwood are announced as the head coach of both Ireland and England respectively.

Harkness Screens,Talking Rugby Union, Exhibit 1 Clothin, Benners Hotel Tralee, Der O’Sullivan and Scrumqueens have joined Canterbury in sponsoring kit for Ireland.

Foley, who is keen on promoting the women's game which is already gaining huge reputation said she is looking forward to the challenge on the field.

“This is the first time that any teams at international level are going to play against each other in this type of event so it is a huge first,” Foley told TRU.

“There is huge interest in it. I can’t get over how many people want to be there, want to support and want to play. We have had to cap the numbers because we are running out of jerseys! There is always that rivalry, but we have always had really good craic with our English counterparts and it should be a really good day.”

Foley also extended her gratitude to all those, who made the game possible despite various challenges.

“I am very proud to be involved in this game and thrilled that many of the players who were part of Ireland’s first ever test game in 1993 are involved - some as players and some as spectators.

“It’s thanks to lots of hard work from a huge number of people from both sides that the game is getting off the ground and it should be a fantastic night.

"Specifically I want to thank Nicki Milne, Susie Appleby, Helen Clayton and Fiona Stockley for their fantastic efforts, as well as Neal Johnson, Andy Weir and Carole Anne Clark for their hard-work on the ground."

Squads for Legends game:

Ireland squad: Lauren Day, Marie Barrett, Laura Guest, Fiona Hayes, Joss Hanrahan, Elaine Collins, Gill Bourke, Sharon Lynch, Rosie Foley, Caroline Mahon, Lorraine Noade, Therese Kennedy, Jill Henderson, Jen Leacy, Rachel Reid, Debbie O’Connor, Siobhan Fleming, Wendy Keenan, Diane Nixon , Jackie McCarthy , Magali Dolo, Anne- Marie McAllister, Nicola Doyle, Edel Coen, Tania Rosser, Amy Davis, Siobhan O’Donovan, Elimar Flynn, Sinead Cosgrove, Patrique Kelly, Helen Brosnan, Carole Ann Byrne, Jacqui Horan, Grace Davitt, Olivia Brown, Mairead Kelly, Jeannette Feighery, Annie Parsons, Bridget Montgomery, Joy Sparkes, Maeve Quirke, Mel Nash, Nicki Milne, Maura Coulter, Fiona Coghlan

England squad: Helen Clayton, Gill Burns, Nicky Meston, Cath Spence, Louise Latter, Helen Harding, Susan Dorrington, Sue Day, Valerie Blackett, Maxine Edwards, Claire Purdy, Mercedes Foy, Shelley Rae, Jane Coats, Emma Layland,
Vicky Macqueen, Susie Appleby, Vanessa Gray, Lois Moulding, Jenny Lynn, Anne O Flynn, Ceri Large, Becky Essex, Jo Poore,