Photo via BBC Sport

Adams Verling handed Ireland debut for WXV opener

Connacht forward Jemima Adams Verling has been selected to earn her inaugural senior international cap as Ireland begins the WXV Global Series against the United States. The 20-year-old blindside flanker, who recently showcased her talent with the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge as well as across under-18 and under-21 Six Nations tournaments, steps into a starting back row featuring skipper Erin King and number eight Aoife Wafer.

With Sam Monaghan sidelined by injury, Dorothy Wall partners Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan at lock, slotting behind a front row of Niamh O'Dowd, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, and Linda Djougang. The backline features half-backs Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien, centres Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins, and a back three comprising Stacey Flood at full-back alongside wingers Vicky Elmes Kinlan and Robyn O'Connor, while Neve Jones, Sadhbh McGrath, Eilis Cahill, Jane Clohessy, Brittany Hogan, Aoibheann Reilly, Anna McGann, and Niamh Gallagher provide bench support.

Kicking off at 13:45 BST on Sunday, this curtain-raiser marks the first women's international rugby fixture staged at Tallaght Stadium, the regular venue of football club Shamrock Rovers. Following the Dublin opener, head coach Scott Bemand's squad will contest a pair of matches against Japan in Galway on 27 September and Cork on 3 October, the earlier of which counts toward the WXV tournament.

Ireland will then travel to Cape Town for subsequent WXV encounters against South Africa scheduled for 24 and 31 October.