Women’s Six Nations: Ireland’s three changes for England as skipper McMahon is ruled out

Ireland have made three changes from the thumping win over Italy for Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations game against champions England in Cork.

With captain Edel McMahon ruled out by injury, Ulster’s Brittany Hogan returns to the back row with Dorothy Wall also recalled to the pack and Emily Lane drafted in at scrum-half.

Wall, who started in the opening defeat by France, returns to the second row after coming off the bench in Parma as Ruth Campbell drops to the replacements.

Aoibheann Reilly produced an impressive scrum-half display against Italy but has to be content with a place on the bench as Lane is recalled after starting against France.

McMahon’s absence means that wing Amee-Leigh Costigan will captain the side.

Enya Breen’s unavailability because of injury results in Vicky Elmes Kinlan being drafted into the replacements.

Ireland’s back three is unchanged with Anna McGann named at wing after scoring a hat-trick of tries in Parma.

Ireland suffered a record 88-10 Six Nations defeat by England in last year’s championship but head coach Scott Bemand said earlier this week that his side are now a considerably “better team”.

Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan (capt); O’Brien, Lane; O’Dowd, Jones, Djougang; Tuite, Wall; Hogan, King, Wafer.

Replacements: Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Campbell, Moore, Reilly, Fowles, Elmes Kinlan.