Nora Stapleton.
BY HARRY WALSH
LARISSA Muldoon from Cappry and Nora Stapleto from Fahan have been named in an unchanged Ireland XV for the visit of France tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.30, Ashbourne) as they look to edge closer to a first ever Grand Slam title.
Phillip Doyle’s side have defied all the odds to secure the Triple Crown and now his team are just two wins away from ultimate glory.
Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster) and Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exiles) have formed a formidable half-back partnership this season as Ireland have already surpassed their pre-tournament goal of qualification for the 2014 World Cup.
Both played instrumental roles in an historic first win in 18 encounters for the Irish Ladies rugby team against Grand Slam Champions England, with a final score of 25 – 0 and they followed that with victory over Scotland securing their first-ever Triple Crown, having beat Wales 12-10 first day out .
The Ireland squad take on France at Ashbourne RFC, and Doyle is confident that his team have what it takes to record only a second-ever victory over Les Bleus.
“It is great to have our goals already ready reached for this season with Rugby World Cup qualifications and the Triple Crown secured,” he said.
“That being said, this squad has further goals and a win over France will certainly get us a step closer to those.
“Having seeing France’s very strong performance a fortnight ago we know that this fixture will be a very tight one but will certainly be very entertaining for the crowd.
Ireland complete their 6 Nations programme on St Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17, with a game against Italy Women in Parabiago, Milan, kick off 2.30pm.
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