Cliodhna Moloney prepares for Ireland return against Wales in Six Nations

Ireland’s Women’s Six Nations team is gearing up for their upcoming clash against Wales in Cork on Saturday, with Exeter hooker Cliodhna Moloney set to earn her first cap in over two years. Moloney, who was named on the bench for the match, has impressed defence coach Declan Danaher with her seamless integration back into the squad.

Having not played for Ireland since 2021 due to social media criticism of the Irish Rugby Football Union, Moloney has put in the hard work to earn her place back in the team. Danaher praised her dedication, saying, “She’s gotten her head down and worked hard.”

Despite a tough loss to Italy in their last outing, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made just one change to the team, with co-captain Edel McMahon recalled for the match against Wales. Danaher commended the players for their performance and emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes to improve against Wales.

Both Ireland and Wales are still searching for their first win of the campaign, with Wales having suffered defeats to Scotland and England. The Irish will be looking to avenge their 31-5 loss to Wales last year and secure their first Six Nations win since 2022.

With the stage set for an exciting showdown between Ireland and Wales, fans can expect a thrilling match as both teams look to kickstart their Six Nations campaign with a victory. Stay tuned for all the action live on BBC iPlayer and online, with live text updates, reports, and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.