Monaghan to start in World Cup opener

Navan's Sam Monaghan will co-captain Ireland from the second row when they open their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign against Japan in Northampton on Sunday, kick-off 12pm (live on RTE).

Monaghan returned from 18 months out injured in the World Cup warm-up matches and her inclusion is a welcome boost for the injury-hit Irish side.

Monaghan's other co-captain Edel McMahon has been passed fit and takes her place in the team after the 31-year-old flanker missed both of Ireland's warm-up games at the start of August with a knee injury but returns to a starting XV that contains four changes from the team beaten by Canada two weeks ago.

Ireland coach Scott Bemand is without injured forwards Dorothy Wall, Erin King and Aoife Wafer, though Wafer may feature later in the tournament.

McMahon replaces Ivana Kiripati in the back row, with Ruth Campbell starting in the second row alongside Monaghan.

Fiona Tuite moves from the second row to the flank with Grace Moore on the bench for the Franklin's Gardens clash.

The two other changes are in the backs, with Eve Higgins starting at inside-centre ahead of Enya Breen and Amee-Leigh Costigan coming in for Anna McGann on the wing.

The front row is as expected, with props Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang either side of hooker Neve Jones.

Brittany Hogan retains her place at number 8 for Bemand’s side, who are ranked fifth in the world.

Aoibheann Reilly partners Dannah O’Brien in the half-backs, while Aoife Dalton and Stacey Flood are at centre and full-back, respectively.

Béibhinn Parsons, who scored two tries against Canada, starts on the right wing.

Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon and Moore are the forward replacements, with Emily Lane, Breen and McGann the backline option on the bench.

Ireland face tJapan, ranked 11th in the world, in their first Pool C game with ties against Spain and champions New Zealand to follow.

Ireland - Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O'Brien; Aoibheann Reilly, Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan; Fiona Tuite, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan. Replacements - Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Anna McGann.