Clohessy and Gallagher earn first Ireland starts as Bemand names Japan team

Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher have been selected to start for Ireland for the first time after head coach Scott Bemand named his team to face Japan in Cork. BBC Sport reported that the pair will be joined in the matchday squad by three uncapped replacements for Saturday's Test at Virgin Media Park.

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Clohessy, who plays for Munster, is set to collect her third Ireland cap and her first as a starter in the second row. Gallagher has been picked at full-back. Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan and Alana McInerney have all been named on the bench and could make their international debuts if introduced during the match.

Bemand has retained an experienced core around those players. Erin King will captain Ireland from flanker, alongside Brittany Hogan and Jemima Adams Verling in the back row. Clohessy's second-row partner will be Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, with Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilis Cahill selected together in the front row. The choices give Clohessy her first starting opportunity within a pack led by King.

Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien keep their partnership at half-back. Anna McGann has been chosen at centre alongside Aoife Dalton, despite having earned most of her 19 Ireland caps playing on the wing. Beibhinn Parsons and Robyn O'Connor will occupy the wing positions, completing the back three with Gallagher. The selection therefore includes both a positional change for McGann and a first start for Gallagher.

Aoife Wafer will not be risked after a training injury also ruled her out of the previous meeting with Japan. BBC Sport described the injury as minor; the report did not give a return date. Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly and Enya Breen complete the replacements alongside the three potential debutants.

Ireland beat Japan in Galway on Sunday in the WXV Global Series. The Cork match is a Test between the same sides, with Ireland due to resume their WXV programme later in October through a double-header against South Africa.