Ferguson and Monaghan set to take international centre stage

Meath's Evan Ferguson and Sam Monaghan will both feature on the international stage this weekend.

First up will be Bettystown's Ferguson who is expected to lead the line when the Republic of Ireland open their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a home game against Hungary in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening, 7.45pm.

In Brighton on Sunday, Monaghan will take her place on the Ireland team for the Women's Rugby World Cup clash with New Zealand at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.

Monaghan was a doubt for the clash with the Black Ferns after picking up a knock in the round two win over Spain, but she has recovered from that blow and will co-captain the team from the second row.

The starting side shows eight changes from the team that began Ireland’s 29-27 win against New Zealand in WXV last year.

Having rotated his side for that win against Spain, Bemand has restored Neve Jones, Ruth Campbell, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan, Aoibheann Reilly and Béibhinn Parsons to his starting side.

The head coach has also rewarded two of last week’s best performers, with Ellena Perry and Grace Moore retaining their respective places in the starting team.

Monaghan has shaken off her hip issue and retains her spot in the second row, while Campbell swaps back in for Eimear Corri-Fallon, who is on the bench.

The big call in the back row sees Fiona Tuite miss out with Hogan starting at number 8, Moore shifting to blindside flanker, and McMahon returning on the openside, with Claire Boles taking the bench spot.

The scrum-half rotation continues, with Aoibheann Reilly replacing Molly Scuffil-McCabe, with Emily Lane on the bench, while Dannah O’Brien goes again at out-half as expected.

Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton start in the centres together for the third game in a row, with Stacey Flood also continuing at full-back.

Parsons returns on the right wing with Anna McGann moving to the bench, while Amee-Leigh Costigan starts on the left.

Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe; Dannah O’Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Ellena Perry, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan; Grace Moore, Edel McMahon, Brittany Hogan. Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corr-Fallon, Claire Boles, Emily Lane, Nancy McGillivray, Anna McGann.

FERGUSON READY

After his bright start to life in Serie A with Roma Ferguson is expected to play the lone strikers role for the Republic of Ireland against Hungary and on Tuesday next away to Armenia.

Ferguson struggled for form last season and after a loan move to West Ham didn’t work out, the Meath man’s immediate future looked uncertain.

However, the 20-year-old’s move to Italy appears to have reignited his career. Although Roma have only played two Serie A games since Ferguson’s arrival, manager Gian Piero Gasperini has already spoken highly of his abilities.

Republic of Ireland assistant manager John o'Shea is also hopeful the change of scenery for Ferguson will help both player and country.

“So far it looks like there’s a spark between Evan, the manager, Roma. It seems to be a perfect mix really,” said O’Shea.

“It tells you a lot about the person and character to make that call. He wanted to go there to have that challenge and also the competition he faces.

“Roma are a big team in Europe, a massive team in Italy. To show that maturity to get in the team and play at that level, showing what he can do is no surprise. You just hope that he maintains that consistency and then Ireland will get a huge benefit from it.”

The Republic of Ireland kick-off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, KO 7.45pm, live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1.

On Sunday, Ireland face New Zealand in their final pool game at the Women's Rugby World Cup, KO 2.45pm, with live coverage on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport where Michael Corcoran will be joined on commentary by New Zealand born ex-Irish international Tania Rosser.