Parsons wings in as Ireland chase maiden win

By PAUL EDDSION

Preview… Ireland v Italy Today, kick-off 5pm

BEIBHINN Parsons will start her first game in the 2022 Six Nations as Ireland look to get off the mark at home to Italy.

Defeats to Wales and away in France have left Greg McWilliams in a tricky spot, particularly with a daunting trip to England next up.

So against the Azzurre, who are also winless – albeit after games against the two favourites France and England – McWilliams has rung the changes with six new faces.

Among them is Parsons, arguably Ireland’s best player, who is now fully fit after being eased back in off the bench and slots onto the wing.

McWilliams said: “We have challenged the players to take their opportunities and we’re trying to increase competition across the board, which is a really healthy thing to have within your squad. The players coming into the team this week have worked hard and earned their chance, so we’re looking forward to seeing how they react and perform.”

Elsewhere Kathryn Dane comes in at scrumhalf while teenage back rower Aoife Wafer could make her debut off the bench at the game in Cork.

Italy have turned to experience, with full-back Manuela Furlan back into the side and captaining the team. The other notable change is the return of Sara Barattin at scrum-half, Italy’s only female centurion having been used off the bench in the first two games.

And Furlan has urged the team to be more productive with ball in hand after spending so much of the 74-0 defeat to England on the back foot.

She said: “In the last game against England, we were not able to play our game: that match left us with the realisation that we could not make the most of our possession.

“We have worked on that and our defence.”