Amee-Leigh Costigan will lead the Ireland women's rugby team as they prepare to face France in the highly-anticipated opening match of the Women's Six Nations at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast this Saturday.
With reigning captain Edel McMahon on the bench, Costigan, who has gained experience as captain of Ireland Sevens, is ready to guide the team in her first Test match as a captain. Under the coaching of Scott Bemand, the team has made several changes following their previous victory against the USA in October during the WXV Series.
In this match, Ruth Campbell and Erin King will make their Six Nations debuts, adding a layer of excitement and new energy to the squad. The team has four significant changes from its last outing: Campbell, Anna McGann, Eve Higgins, and Dannah O'Brien are stepping in to the starting lineup.
Stacey Flood and McGann will join Costigan in the back three, with McGann taking over the right wing from the retired Eimear Considin. The midfield will be anchored by Higgins and Aoife Dalton, while Emily Lane is set to make her first championship appearance since 2021 as scrum-half, pairing with O'Brien, who is stepping in for Nicole Fowley.
In the forward pack, Niamh O'Dowd, vice-captain Neve Jones, and Linda Djougang will form the front row, while Campbell is lined up to partner Dorothy Wall in the second row. The back row will consist of Brittany Hogan, King, and Aoife Wafer.
Head Coach Bemand has also opted for a tactical approach, with a 6:2 forwards-back split on the bench. This means the team can call upon the likes of Cliodhna Moloney, Siobhan McCarthy, Christy Haney, Grace Moore, and Tuite for reinforcements up front. Meanwhile, backline options include Aoibheann Reilly and Enya Breen.
Bemand expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming match: “We are really excited to get our 2025 season underway in front of our home crowd in Belfast this Saturday, and no better challenge to start with than the visit of a very talented France side.”
In last year’s tournament, Ireland faced a tough match against France, finishing with a 38-17 loss and placing third in the table overall. Now, the squad is determined to showcase their development and resilience in this new season and aims for a much stronger performance against the fierce French team.
The match is set to be broadcasted live on BBC Northern Ireland, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app, giving fans a chance to witness this electrifying encounter.
With new beginnings, strong leadership, and fervent determination, the Ireland women's team is primed to make a statement in this year’s Six Nations as they take on France.
