Five Midlands players named in Ireland squad for South Africa tests

Athlone's Anna McGann is one of five players from the wider Midlands area to be named in a 30-player Ireland women's rugby squad to play South Africa in successive WXV Global Series tests on October 24 and October 31.

The Moydrum native is joined by Ballinasloe's Beibhinn Parsons and Aoibheann O'Reilly from nearby Creagh, along with Offaly's Aoife Dalton and Roscommon player, Jemima Adams Verling.

Ireland started their WXV Global Series campaign with a surprise home loss to the USA, but responded positively in their follow-up fixture with a 43-19 defeat of Japan, a game which saw Parson's equal the Ireland women's rugby try scoring record.

The WXV Global Series is an international women’s rugby union programme organised by World Rugby that features 18 national teams competing across a dedicated September-to-October window.

Ireland Squad (v South Africa, WXV Global Series)

Forwards (17): Beth Buttimer, Brittany Hogan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Dorothy Wall, Eilís Cahill, Erin King, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Jordan, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sophie Barrett

Backs (13): Alana McInerney, Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Niamh Gallagher, Robyn O'Connor, Stacey Flood