Athlone's Anna drafted into Ireland rugby squad
Athlone native Anna McGann has been drafted into the Ireland women's rugby squad ahead of this Saturday's Six Nations clash against France.
From Moydrum in Athlone, McGann made her Ireland debut against Wales in March of last year and has been named among the replacements for Saturday's match with France.
Anna has excelled in sevens rugby and has represented Ireland in that version of the sport on many occasions.
The 22-year-old has played for Railway Union in the All-Ireland League Women's Division this season.
Ireland take on France at Musgrave Park, Cork on Saturday (kick-off 3.15pm).
Ireland suffered a heavy defeat to Wales (31-5) in their opening Six Nations game in Cardiff last Saturday. Former Moate Community School student Aoife Dalton from Clara started for Ireland in that game and retains her place for the meeting with France.
Meanwhile, Ireland back Enya Breen has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Six Nations through injury.
Breen sustained a knee injury in Cardiff last weekend and after medical assessments this week, has undergone a procedure that will keep her sidelined for Ireland’s remaining matches.
Backs Leah Tarpey and Kayla Waldron, who were part of Ireland’s extended Six Nations squad, are also unavailable for selection this week through injury.
The Ireland match-day squad for the match against France is due to be named by head coach Greg McWilliams later today (Thursday).
Ireland team & replacements (v France, TikTok Women's Six Nations):
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) (3 caps)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster) (13)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (3)
12. Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/Ulster) (2)
11. Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (3)
10. Dannah O'Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (3)
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) (5)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (25)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster) (14)
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (6)
4. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (30) (captain)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby) (11)
6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) (17)
7. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby) (6)
8. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster) (5).
Replacements:
16. Clara Nielson (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
17. Sadhbh McGrath (City of Derry/Cooke RFC/Ulster) (1)
18. Kathryn Buggy (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
19. Hannah O'Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (15)
20. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster) (11)
21. Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (22)
22. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht) (2)
23. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby) (18).