Bemand makes two changes as Ireland prepare for South Africa opener

Dorothy Wall returns to the Ireland second row. Dan Clohessy / INPHO

Ireland Women begin their two-match series against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

THE EXPERIENCED STACEY Flood and Dorothy Wall both return to the Ireland starting XV for Saturday’s WXV Global Series match against South Africa in Cape Town [2pm].

Head coach Scott Bemand has made two changes to the side which beat Japan in Cork three weeks ago, with Flood and Wall replacing Niamh Gallagher and Jemima Adams Verling.

Exeter’s Wall slots into the second row, where she’ll partner Jane Clohessy, with Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan shifting into the back row alongside captain Erin King and Brittany Hogan.

Ireland are without star back row Aoife Wafer for the two-match series after she was forced to withdraw from the squad earlier this month with a minor injury sustained in training.

“We have reset well after the recent home block of fixtures and are ready to embrace the challenge of playing away from home,” Bemand said.

“The squad have worked incredibly hard since arriving here in Cape Town last week, and there is a real determination to continue to evolve and develop our game during this tour.

“Testing ourselves in difficult environments against top-quality opposition is vital to our development, and we want to see that resilience and character come through in our performance on Saturday.

“We know the challenge South Africa will bring, but we are excited by the opportunity.”

15. Stacey Flood 14. Béibhinn Parsons 13. Anna McGann 12. Aoife Dalton 11. Robyn O’Connor 10. Dannah O’Brien 9. Emily Lane

1. Linda Djougang 2. Neve Jones 3. Eilís Cahill 4. Jane Clohessy 5. Dorothy Wall 6. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan 7. Erin King (capt) 8. Brittany Hogan

16. Beth Buttimer 17. Niamh O’Dowd 18. Sadhbh McGrath 19. Kate Jordan 20. Grace Moore 21. Jemima Adams Verling 22. Aoibheann Reilly 23. Eve Higgins

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