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Former Ulster lock Alan O’Connor has joined the Ireland coaching ticket in preparation for the Women’s Six Nations.
O’Connor played 212 times for Ulster before retiring from professional rugby last year.
The 33-year-old joins Scott Bemand’s staff to replace Alex Codling as the side’s forwards specialist after the Englishman’s role with Munster was made full-time at the beginning of this season.
Ireland, who were knocked out of the World Cup by France at the quarter-final stage last year, start their Six Nations campaign away to England at Twickenham on Saturday, 11 April, a game that could break the attendance record for a Womens’ Six Nations match.
Ireland began a three-day preparation camp for the tournament in Dublin on Monday with 37 players in attendance.
Notably included were key forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall who both missed the World Cup through injury, while Bemand has also included 10 uncapped players.
Forwards Beth Buttimer, Cara McLean, Jemima Adams Verling, India Daley, Rosie Searle and Sophie Barrett are all in attendance, as are backs Alana McInerney, Catriona Finn, Niamh Gallagher and Robyn O’Connor.
Ireland training squad
Forwards: Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, Beth Buttimer, Brittany Hogan, Cara McLean, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Dorothy Wall, Ellena Perry, Erin King, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy, Jemima Adams Verling, India Daley, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Rosie Searle, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Sophie Barrett.
Backs: Alana McInerney, Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons, Caitriona Finn, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Nancy McGillivray, Niamh Gallagher, Robyn O’Connor, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
