Sam Monaghan will start for Ireland against Scotland on Sunday, earning her 31st cap in what is set to be a landmark moment for Irish women's rugby. The second row replaces Dorothy Wall in the only change to Ireland's XV for their final Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, where a record crowd of more than 30,000 is expected — making this the first standalone women's rugby match ever held at the venue in Dublin.
Monaghan's inclusion marks a significant moment in her international career. The former co-captain missed the opening game of the championship against England through injury, and has been among the replacements for the past three Six Nations matches. Now, as competition for places deepens within the squad, she returns to the starting lineup after the team's convincing 33-12 victory over Wales in Belfast.
Coach Scott Bemand clearly relishes the depth of talent at his disposal. "It's been an absolute pleasure to have an hour and a half conversation discussing who is in your engine room," he said, reflecting on the selection process. "We enjoy selection. We've moved to a point now where we have got genuine competition for who can start, who can come on and bring impact off the bench." The squad is now operating at a level where tactical considerations shape team selection, with Bemand considering how opposing sides might play and which players offer the best fit for how the game is likely to unfold.
Elsewhere in the lineup, Ireland's backline remains unchanged, with Stacey Flood, Beibhinn Parsons and Robyn O'Connor forming the back three. In the midfield, Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton continue as centres, with Dannah O'Brien partnering Emily Lane at half-back. The front row is a fortress of consistency: Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Linda Djougang will each register their fifth consecutive start of the championship. Monaghan will partner Fiona Tuite in the second row, while the back row comprises Brittany Hogan at flanker — fresh off scoring two tries against Wales — captain Erin King at openside, and Aoife Wafer at number eight.
Bemand has opted for a 5:3 forward-heavy bench split this week, reflecting his assessment of how the match will develop. The replacements include forwards Neve Jones, Sadhbh McGrath, Eilis Cahill, Dorothy Wall and Ruth Campbell, alongside backs Katie Whelan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan and Niamh Gallagher. The coach is particularly keen to see Vicky Elmes-Kinlan bring her power game off the bench, a sign of the attacking intent Ireland intends to carry into the closing match of the tournament.
Ireland approach the fixture in third place on the Six Nations table, five points ahead of Scotland, who sit fifth and have lost their past three matches. For Bemand's side, a victory would complete an unbeaten home campaign in the championship. The Aviva Stadium crowd of over 30,000 will witness not just a rugby match, but a milestone for women's sport in Ireland — a testament to the growing visibility and investment in the game.