Reilly and Finlay in Irish training squad

Two Meath players - Marie Louise Reilly and Jennie Finlay - have been included in the 48-strong Irish training squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup that takes place in Dublin and Belfast in August. 

Reilly achieved a notable milestone in her career when she won her 50th cap against England in Donnybrook earlier this year. 

Reilly had the honour of leading the team out for that occasion and with her experience she is clearly still an integral part of the Irish set-up and it will be a major surprise if she doesn't start as a first-choice lock forward once more.   

The Summerhill woman was part of Ireland's last World Cup adventures in France in 2014 and helped her team chalk up an historic victory over New Zealand. Ireland progressed to the semi-finals where they were defeated by England. 

There are 13 members of the current squad who have experience of playing in the World Cup including Reilly. 

Finlay, from Bective,  made her first appearance for Ireland when she came on as a substitute in the Six Nations game against Scotland earlier this year. While Leah Lyons is Ireland's first choice hooker Finlay will be ready to step into the position if required. 

Both Reilly and Finlay turned out in the colours of Navan in the early stages of their careers. 

Ireland kick-off their World Cup campaign with a game against Australia at the UCD Bowl on Wednesday 9th August. They then play Japan at the same venue on the Sunday 13th August with their last group game against France on Thursday 17th August. 

The final squad for the World Cup is expected to be selected in July. 

The Irish training squad for the World Cup is: Backs -  Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt), Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht), Nicole Cronin (Shannon/Munster), Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Munster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Kim Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht), Louise Galvin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht), Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster), Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht), Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster), Sene Naoupu (Aylesford Bulls), Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (Aylesford Bulls/Munster), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Megan Williams (St. Mary's). 

Forwards - Elaine Anthony (Highfield/Munster), Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster)
Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht), Jennie Finlay (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Tullamore/Connacht), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht)
Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ilse van Staden (Cooke/Ulster).