Nicole Cronin set for Ireland debut against Japan
Former Leicester scrum-half Tom Tierney has made changes to his Ireland team for the game against Japan
©PA
Ireland head coach Tom Tierney has made seven changes to the line-up for the Women's Rugby World Cup clash against Japan that kicks-off on Sunday.
Nicole Cronin has been handed a start for the first time in 15s along with tighthead prop Ciara O'Connor, while Ciara Cooney will make her fifth start at lock. Mairead Coyne starts at full-back and Katie Fitzhenry is at outside centre with Sophie Spence and Ciara Griffin also finding a place.
"We had a really tough game on Wednesday and, while we came away with the win, there a number of areas in which we need to improve," said Tierney.
"Japan are going to throw everything at us. They are fit, they like to move the ball wide and they are quick to the break down.
"We have made a number of changes to the side from the Australia game with a view to giving some players a rest from what was a physical game.
"But we also want to give the other members of the squad an opportunity to show what they can do against a fast and agile Japanese team."
Ireland Women's team to face Japan in Dublin on Sunday: M Coyne (Connacht), H Tyrrell, K Fitzhenry (both Leinster), S Naoupu (Harlequins), A Miller (Connacht), N Stapleton (Leinster), N Cronin (Munster), L Peat, C Moloney (both Leinster), C O'Connor (Connacht), C Cooney, S Spence (both Leinster), C Griffin (Munster), A Baxter (Ulster), C Molloy (Bristol, captain).
Replacements: L Lyons (Munster), R O'Reilly (Connacht), A Egan, P Fitzpatrick (both Leinster), A Caplice (Munster), L Muldoon (Ulster), J Deacon (Leinster), L Galvin (Munster).
