Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he set out to “strike a balance” in his team selection for Sunday’s World Cup Pool C game against Spain as his side aim to secure a quarter-final berth with victory at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Irish team began their campaign with a convincing 42-14 win over Japan last weekend and will face holders New Zealand in an encounter which is likely to decide the group winners on 7 September.
Bemand has made seven changes to his starting line-up for the meeting with Spain and star back row Aoife Wafer remains an absentee from the 23-strong matchday squad despite returning to training after a knee injury.
Although the former England assistant described his squad as “in fine health”, the likes of Edel McMahon and Beibhinn Parsons will not be involved in the game, while Neve Jones and last week’s player of the match, Brittany Hogan, are held in reserve on the bench.
“There’s always a balance to strike on these occasions,” said Bemand.
“There’s always that blend, we want to get our best game out there and we want to achieve the quarter-final at the first possible opportunity and that’s this weekend so there’s a job we’ve got to get done.
“I always emphasise how we compete in training and the girls that have come in are fully ready. They’ve earned their spot and I think we’ve got the blend right of team and physical capability across the board.”
