Dannah O’Brien is among eight uncapped players included in the Irish women’s rugby team for their two-test series against Japan next month.
The Tullow native, has been part of the IRFU Women’s National Talent Squad established earlier this year and will travel to Japan in August.
Nichola Fryday, a former student at Kilkenny College, will captain the side.
O’Brien’s inclusion is just reward for performances on the pitch over the past season with Tullow and Leinster. In between, she’s also been togging out at full forward for St. Anne’s and Carlow on the football front.
Tokyo calling
Ireland open the series against Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka on Saturday, August 20, before a second Test against Lesley McKenzie’s team a week later, on Saturday, August 27, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
The two teams most recently faced each other during the 2021 November internationals at the RDS, with Ireland earning a 15-12 win on that occasion.
Japan, currently ranked 12th in the world, are coming off the back of a historic Test victory over Australia and are currently preparing for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October.
Ireland team for Japan series
Forwards
- Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster)
- Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
- Clara Nielson (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)*
- Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
- Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
- Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
- Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
- Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
- Jo Brown (Worcester/IQ Rugby)*
- Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
- Laura Feely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
- Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)
- Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
- Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster)
- Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) CAPTAIN
- Sam Monaghan (TBC)
- Taryn Schulzter (Saracens/Ulster)*
Backs
- Ailsa Hughes (Railyway Union RFC/Leinster)
- Aoife Dalton (Tullamore/Leinster)*
- Dannah O’Brien (Tullow RFC/Leinster)*
- Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)*
- Enya Breen (TBC/Munster)
- Kayla Waldron (Hamilton Hawks/IQ Rugby)*
- Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks RFC/IQ Rugby)
- Leah Tarpey (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)*
- Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
- Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
- Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster)
*denotes previously uncapped player