Clohessy and Gallagher handed first Ireland starts for Cork Test

Munster second row Jane Clohessy and full-back Niamh Gallagher have been named by Ireland head coach Scott Bemand to make their first starts in Saturday's Test against Japan at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan and Alana McInerney are included on the bench and are set to make their Ireland debuts.

Ireland beat Japan in the WXV Global Series in Galway on Sunday and the two teams meet again in Cork for this Test. Clohessy will win her third cap with a maiden start in the second row, while Gallagher has been selected in the starting XV for the first time.

The front row for Ireland is Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilis Cahill, with Clohessy partnered in the second row by Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan. Those selections pair several more experienced forwards with the new starters.

Erin King will captain Ireland from the flanker position and is accompanied in the back row by Brittany Hogan and Jemima Adams Verling. That trio provides the leadership and balance in the pack for Saturday's fixture.

Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien retain their half-back partnership for the Test, while Anna McGann and Aoife Dalton are named together in the centre. McGann has won the majority of her 19 Ireland caps on the wing.

The back three selected are Beibhinn Parsons, Robyn O'Connor and Niamh Gallagher, with Gallagher making her first start in the side. The bench contains debutants Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan and Alana McInerney among the replacements.

Key back row Aoife Wafer will not be risked for the Test after a "minor" training injury kept her out of the team to face Japan last Sunday. Ireland: Niamh Gallagher; Beibhinn Parsons; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton; Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilis Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan; Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Jemima Adams Verling. Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen, Alana McInerney.

Ireland are scheduled to return to WXV action with a double-header against South Africa later in October.