Monaghan to start for Ireland against Scotland Image source, InphoImage caption, Monaghan has 30 caps for Ireland ByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalistPublished2 hours agoSecond row Sam Monaghan will make her first start of this Six Nations in the only change to Ireland’s XV for Sunday’s final game against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.Monaghan replaces Dorothy Wall, who is among the replacements, in the sole alteration from the 33-12 win over Wales in Belfast.
The former co-captain was on the bench for the past three Six Nations matches after missing the opening game against England due to injury and will earn her 31st cap on Sunday.
Scott Bemand’s side are aiming to complete the campaign unbeaten at home when they welcome Scotland to the Aviva, in what is set to be a record crowd of more than 30,000 and the first standalone women’s rugby match at the venue.
Scotland have lost their past three fixtures and sit fifth in the table, five points behind Ireland in third.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have an hour and a half conversation discussing who is in your engine room,” Bemand mentioned.
“We enjoy selection. We’ve moved to a point now where we have got genuine competition for who can start, who can come on and bring impact off the bench.
“We’re at the level now that we’re starting to consider who we’re playing against and what best fit for how we think the game is going to pattern out.”
