Irish Women still looking for improvement after England victory

Ireland Women go in pursuit of successive away Six Nations wins for the first time in two years against Wales on Sunday - but they will have to do so without Katie Fitzhenry.

In the sole change to the team which defeated World Champions England in round three of the competition Fitzhenry misses out due to an ankle injury picked up at training last weekend, Jackie Shiels comes in to the team with Aoife Doyle introduced on the bench.

Shiels lines out in the centre as Ireland hope to win a fourth consecutive game against a Wales team who have two wins from three thus far.

Head Coach Tom Tierney says he is still looking for improvements from the team which defeated England 11-8 last time out.

“It was great to get a win against England a fortnight ago, and has left us in a good position for the final two rounds of the championship, but we are always looking for improvements.

“We are not underestimating Wales, they are a strong side and we have no doubt they will bring their all with them for the home crowd. If we do the small things right we will be in good shape.”

IRELAND: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/ Munster); Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/ Exiles), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen RFC); Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht), Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo RFC), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/ Leinster); Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/ Leinster); Paula Fitzpatrick (St Marys/ Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/ Connacht), Heather O'Brien (Highfield/ Munster).

Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exiles), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian/ Munster), Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St Marys/ Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock / Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/ Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht), Aoife Doyle (Shannon/ Munster).