Sheehan named in Ireland squad

By Harry Scott-Munro
2/11/21

Exeter Chiefs wing Laura Sheehan’s impressive form this season for Susie Appleby’s side has been rewarded with a call-up to Adam Griggs’ Irish squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals.

Sheehan has been a constant threat on the wing this season for the Chiefs - with her try against Harlequins earlier in the campaign being widely shared on social media.

Now, she has been included in a 33-player squad ahead of the upcoming autumn Tests against the USA and Japan at the RDS.

In his last international selection before leaving his role, Head Coach Adam Griggs has included six uncapped players, with a number of young players who have impressed for their provinces during the recent Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship and in the opening weeks of the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League season being named in a refreshed squad following Ireland’s failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The Irish are currently preparing for tests against the USA on Friday, November 12 (7.15pm), and Japan on Saturday, November 20 (3pm,) where Sheehan could come up against a number of her club colleagues in Kate Zackary, Rachel Johnson, Gabby Cantorna, Jennine Detiveaux, Sachiko Kato and Kanako Kobayashi.

Ciara Griffin will once again captain Ireland for the back-to-back autumn Tests at the RDS, beginning with the Friday night clash with the US Eagles.

Speaking ahead of the games, Griffin was thrilled to have the chance to finally play again in front of a home crowd.

“We’re looking forward to two Test matches on home soil this November, and we’re excited about the opportunity to play in front of our supporters again. A Friday night game under the lights promises to be a special occasion, and we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible at the RDS.”

IRELAND WOMEN’S Squad – 2021 Autumn Tests:

Backs (15):

Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster)
Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht) *
Alana McInerney (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)
Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster) *
Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)

Forwards (18):

Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)
Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)
Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)
Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Leah Lyons (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster) *
Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)
Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/Connacht)
Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)
Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt)
Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster) *

* Denotes uncapped player