Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon has won her fitness race ahead of Sunday’s Rugby World Cup pool opener with Japan.
The Exeter flanker has been named to start, despite missing the warm-up games due to a knee injury.
Head coach Scott Bemand’s side also includes Stacey Flood, Béibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan in the back three, with Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton paired in midfield.
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Aoibheann Reilly starts at scrum-half with Dannah O'Brien at out-half.
Up front, Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are the front row, with Ruth Campbell joining co-captain Sam Monaghan in the second row. McMahon is joined in the back row by Brittany Hogan and Fiona Tuite.
