Higgins returns for Ireland to face Wales

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made one change to his starting XV for Saturday's Women's Six Nations home game against Wales at the Affidea Stadium.

Eve Higgins replaces Nancy McGillivray, who is not involved in the matchday squad, at centre in the sole alteration from the 26-7 defeat against France in Clermont two weeks ago.

Higgins started the opening 33-12 defeat against England before she came off the bench in the big 57-20 win over Italy and the defeat in France.

Following the tournament's fallow week, Ireland will look to get back on track and pick up their second home victory in the campaign.

Wales are looking for their first win of the campaign after defeats by Scotland, France and England.

"The next two games are massive for us, starting with Wales. Not just to win three games at home, but to put a performance out there, a performance that shows we are moving and that people can get on the back of," Bemand said.

Stacey Flood continues at full-back with Beibhinn Parsons at right wing and Robyn O'Connor on the opposite side.

Aoife Dalton is partnered by Higgins in midfield with Dannah O'Brien and Emily Lane - who has three try assists in this year's tournament - remaining in the half-backs.

Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, who scored Ireland's only try against France, and Linda Djougang form an unchanged front row, with Dorothy Wall partnering Fiona Tuite, who has played every minute of the tournament, in the second row.

Aoife Wafer, captain Erin King and Brittany Hogan are in the back row for the fourth game in a row, while Bemand has made a number of changes to the bench in opting for a 6:2 split.

Sadh McGrath and Grace Moore are back among the replacements, while 20-year-old full-back Niamh Gallagher is set to make her debut off the bench.

"Wales have scored seven of eight tries through their driving maul so we know there is going to be a pretty feisty battle up front with the pack," Bemand explained.

"We always do a 6:3 and then we choose what the game needs and this week it is a 6:2 in favour of the forwards. We think we've got the coverage within the backs and gives us an extra bit of grunt up front.

"She [Gallagher] has been training the house down. We've known about her for a while. She has a really well-rounded skill set. She's more than earned the crack."

Ireland: Flood; Parsons, Dalton, Higgins, O'Connor; O'Brien, Lane; Perry, Moloney-MacDonald, Djougang, Wall, Tuite, Hogan, King (capt), Wafer.

Replacements: Jones, McGrath, Cahill, Campbell, Monaghan, Moore, Whelan, Gallagher.

Wales: Powell; Dallavalle, Cox, Keight, J Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Metcalfe, Evans, Aiono, Lewis (capt), King

Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, A Joyce, Lockwood, Bell, Prothero