IN BEMAND

Ireland boss has Scott the squad he wants to take on world but he knows girls in green face massive challenge

- BY DEREK FOLEY

SCOTT BEMAND has opted to go with co-captains Sam Monaghan and Neve Jones for the upcoming Womens Rugby World Cup in England.

England are hot favourites at 1/2, with New Zealand, Canada and France expected to make the semifinals.

All four of those squads are professional and under 10/1 in the betting. Ireland and Australia are next at 50/1.

USA are 75/1 and it’s 225/1 bar after that - demonstrating the huge drop off in standard in the women's game.

The Ireland squad is backboned by Leinster club rugby - 11 of 14 backs and 10 of 18 forwards play for Leinster clubs.

There are a further seven players, including both co-captains, registered with English clubs. The rest are one apiece from Galwegians, Creggs, Cooke and NZ outfit Manuwatu.

We look at four takeaways from the Ireland squad named yesterday.

BETH BUTTIMER

A TEENAGER this morning, but the Tipperary-born hooker will have turned 20 by the time the campaign kicks off.

But there is no mistaking she has been a singular triumph for Niamh Briggs 'independent Republic of UL Bohs/Munster' who battle continually against the tide.