Chiefs Second Row Fryday returns to Captain Ireland
By Harry Scott-Munro
29/04/22
Exeter Chiefs Women’s second-row Nichola Fryday will be hoping that her side can end their Six Nations campaign on a high, when they take on Scotland tomorrow evening. (8pm)
Last weekend, a much-changed Irish side fought hard against England, holding them to just two tries in the first half, before the strength of the Red Roses eventually saw them pull clear.
There are three changes in personnel to Ireland’s starting XV for the Round 5 clash in Belfast, with uncapped Vicky Irwin named to start at full-back and second row Sam Monaghan returning from injury to partner Fryday in the second-row. With Nicole Cronin ruled out through injury, Nikki Caughey comes in to start at flyhalf for her first appearance of the Championship.
Monaghan’s return from injury is a timely one for Ireland, with her partnership with Fryday in the Irish engine room one of the main positives to have come out of the tournament for Greg McWilliams’ side.
“A couple of injuries have forced us to make minor changes this week, but overall we are very pleased with the dynamic of the team and we’re excited to get to work on Saturday,” McWilliams said.
“It will be a special moment for us all to have a big home crowd behind us at Kingspan Stadium. We have learned a lot about ourselves over the last six weeks and we hope to produce a strong performance to finish the Six Nations the way we want this Saturday. It promises to be another great occasion and we can’t wait to see so many of you in Belfast.”
Scotland are yet to record a victory in this year’s championship but, in Fryday’s club teammate Chloe Rollie, they have a player who can create something out of nothing.
There is also something of a grudge feel to this one, with the two side’s meeting for the first time since Scotland knocked Ireland out of world cup qualifying, with McWilliams admitting that his side ‘have a point to prove.’
“I just hope our process is good this week and as a result then, we want to get a win against a good Scottish side that beat us the last time we played them. They’re in the World Cup ahead of us, so it’s another great challenge for us.”
15. Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/Ulster)*
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster) 9
13. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) 47
12. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) 13
11. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 1
10. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 13
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster) 22
1. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster) 21
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster) 10
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 3
4. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (capt) 26
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby) 8
6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) 14
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby) 18
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 11
Replacements:
16. Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 11
17. Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) 5
18. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 9
19. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 19
20. Grace Moore (Railway Union RFC/IQ Rugby) 2
21. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) 2
22. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 13
23. Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 13.