Muller names 18 for Celtic Cup

Gene Muller has named his 18 player panel for this weekend’s reduced Celtic Cup after Wales pulled out of the competition in Nice.

The tournament serves as one of the final battlegrounds for Irish players to stake their claim for inclusion next month’s World Cup Qualifiers in Chile

Speaking about the fixtures against France and Scotland, the Irish coach said: “This will be a tough tournament and an ideal preparation event for us.

"We have had some very tough matches against Scotland in recent times, and France have improved to a level that sees them well prepared for their world cup qualification event. We have not decided on a World cup qualification team yet so this is a chance for players to stake a claim for the qualifiers in April.”

Julia O’Halloran who was not considered for selection this weekend due to study commitments, but he welcomes back Cliodhna Sargent and Alex Speers who have both recovered from injury in time.

Audrey O’Flynn is retained after earning her first cap recently as she blends into a more experienced squad which has an average caps earning of 63 per head. Ireland play hosts France on Friday before a day’s break on Saturday and then face Scotland on Sunday.

Ireland squad:
Mary Goode (Bray); Louisa Healy (Loreto); Roisin Flinn (Old Alex); Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins); Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute); Emma Clarke (Leicester); Emma Stewart (Armagh); Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney); Shirley McCay (Dragons); Audrey O’Flynn (UCC); Alex Speers (Dragons); Rachel Mulligan (Armagh); Nikki Symmons (Loreto); Emma Smyth (Railway Union); Lizzie Colvin (Loreto); Lisa Jacob (UCD); Niamh Small (Loreto); Michelle Harvey (Pegasus)

Match Schedule:
Friday, March 5: Ireland v France, 2pm
Sunday, March 7: Ireland v Scotland, 10am