Robyn O’Connor will make her Ireland debut in Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations match against Italy in Galway.
The 20-year-old Leinster player, who previously represented Ireland in the sevens code, replaces Vicky Elmes Kinlan on the left wing.
Centre Nancy McGillivray and second row Ruth Campbell also come into the side with Eve Higgins and Dorothy Wall dropping to the bench for the game at Dexcom Stadium (17:40 BST).
“She’s a really tough player,” head coach Scott Bemand said of O’Connor, who scored five tries to help the Wolfhounds retain the Celtic Challenge earlier this year.
“She’s got physicality, change of direction, she’s a great stepper and that’s perhaps not as prevalent in the women’s game and that creates attacking moments and opportunities for us.
“She knows her way to the try line and she’s an excellent fielder of a rugby ball. She has played quite a bit at full-back in her formative years so anything going up in the air we know she’s confident.”
Former co-captain Sam Monaghan is named on the bench after recovering from injury, while prop Sadhbh McGrath also comes into the matchday squad.
Ireland opened the Six Nations with a 33-12 loss to England at Allianz Stadium, while Italy were beaten 40-7 by France in Grenoble.
