Anna McGann in action earlier this year at Kingspan Stadium, the venue for Saturday's Six Nations clash with France. Photo: INPHO/IRFU

McGann to start for Ireland against France

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Athlone's Anna McGann has been selected on the Ireland team for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations opener against France at Kingspan Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 1pm).

The Moydrum native, who has six international caps, has been picked on the right wing for the clash with the French in Belfast.

Clara's Aoife Dalton (a former Moate Community School student) will form the centre partnership alongside Eve Higgins, while Aoibheann Reilly from Creagh, close to Ballinasloe, is among the replacements.

The bench also includes Ireland squad captain Edel McMahon, with Amee-Leigh Costigan and Neve Jones selected as captain and vice captain respectively for the fixture against France.

Speaking ahead of the match, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand said: “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."

Saturday’s match is live on Virgin Media One and BBC Northern Ireland, while there will also be live radio commentary on RTE Radio 1.

Ireland (v France):

15. Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)(14 caps)

14. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)(6)

13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(18)

12. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)(21)

11. Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(13), captain

10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(19)

9. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)(10)

1. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(11)

2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)(30), vice-captain

3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(41)

4. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(2)

5. Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs/Munster)(32)

6. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(27)

7. Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)(4)

8. Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(11).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs)(38)

17. Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(4)

18. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(19)

19. Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(17)

20. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(10)

21. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(30)

22. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(12)

23. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(25).

Kieran Galvin
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