Athlone's Anna to start Ireland's next World Cup clash
Anna McGann from Athlone has been selected to start Ireland's meeting with Spain in the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday (kick-off 12pm).
The Moydrum native has been named on the right wing for the Pool C fixture, having been introduced as a substitute in last Sunday's opening round victory over Japan.
McGann started her rugby career at Buccaneers RFC after she had previously excelled in hockey with Athlone Hockey Club. She is a daughter of Rosemount native Terry (née Carberry) and the late Mick McGann.
Ballinasloe's Béibhinn Parsons was among the try scorers in Ireland's 42-14 win over Japan in Northampton on Sunday last, while Aoibheann Reilly from Creagh started at scrum-half.
Parsons and Reilly are not in the match-day squad for the game against Spain as Ireland head coach Scott Bemand and his management team rotate their resources.
Clara native Aoife Dalton retains her place in the centre alongside Eve Higgins, while Linda Djougang is set to win her 50th cap for Ireland, becoming the 15th Ireland women’s international to reach that landmark.
With Spain ranked 13th in the world rankings, two places below Japan, Ireland, who are ranked fifth, will be expected to register another win on Sunday.
The Ireland vs Spain game will be shown live on RTÉ2 and BBC Two. Ireland will face defending champions New Zealand in their third Pool C fixture in Brighton on Sunday, September 7.
Ireland (vs Spain):
15. Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(21 caps)
14. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(12)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(25)
12. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(29)
11. Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(20)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(27)
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawatū RFC/Leinster)(22)
1. Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(2)
2. Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)(46)
3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(49)
4. Eimear Corri-Fallon (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)(7)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(24)
6. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(18)
7. Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)(6)
8. Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(23).
Replacements:
16. Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury)(38)
17. Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(9)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(17)
19. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(9)
20. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(35)
21. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(18)
22. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(32)
23. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(1).