Dragons Women ace Molly Reardon, the Wales U20s and Gwalia Lightning hooker, is poised to win her second Wales cap after being named on the replacements bench for the clash with ireland in the Women’s Guinness Six Nations at Virgin Media Park, Cork, on Saturday, April 13 (kick-off 4:45pm).
There are four changes to the side that started against England in Bristol in Round 2.
Centre Hannah Jones will captain the side and partners Kerin Lake in the Wales midfield.
Wing Jasmine Joyce returns to the starting line-up after missing the trip to face England at Ashton Gate and is joined by Jenny Hesketh and Carys Cox in an exciting back three.
Scrum-half Keira Bevan returns to the side after scoring a try against England and partners fly half Lleucu George at half-back.
Sisilia Tuipulotu joins Carys Phillips and Gwenllian Pyrs in the front row with Abbie Fleming and Georgia Evans packing down in the Wales engine room.
Vice-captain Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers and Bethan Lewis make up the Wales backrow.
Uncapped Gwennan Hopkins is named on the bench and is poised to become the fourth player to make their Wales debut during this W6N tournament.
Ioan Cunningham, the Wales Head coach, said: “We have put the fallow week to good use and had a thorough debrief of where we are after the first two games in this Six Nations campaign.
“The focus has been on putting the hard work in and looking at the good things we have done and what we need to tighten up on against Ireland in Cork. We produced an impressive performance against England, and we just need to be more clinical and finish of what we are creating in games.
“She has that X-factor, and we will need all her experience against Ireland. Sisilia gets a chance and the competition between her, and Donna is driving them both and helping the team.
“Alisha made a real difference when she came off the bench against England and deserves the opportunity to start, while Keira reminded everyone what she can do and the competition with Sian Jones for the scrum-half shirt is benefiting the team.
“Gwennan Hopkins fully deserves her selection on the bench and is another exciting talent to have emerged during this campaign. All of us are excited to see what she can do at Test match level.
“We know Ireland at home will be a real challenge, but it is one we are looking forward to and we are determined to produce a performance to make everyone proud.”
WALES W6N side to face Ireland: Jenny Hesketh, Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones (Captain), Kerin Lake, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender (Vice-captain), Bethan Lewis.
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight.
