Women's Six Nations 2024: 'Right time' for Cliodhna Moloney's Ireland return - Scott Bemand
- Published
Cliodhna Moloney has not played for Ireland since November 2021
Cliodhna Moloney might make her long-awaited Ireland comeback against Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.
The match in Cork would be the Exeter hooker's first Test appearance since November 2021.
The 30-year-old has not featured since being critical of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on social media.
"We'd been in comms for a reasonable while, we'd been tracking how she's playing," said Ireland head coach Scott Bemand.
After then women's director of rugby Anthony Eddy said their XVs programme had not been overlooked, Moloney called his remarks "slurry spreading" on social media.
Bemand had mooted a possible return during this championship and the shoulder injury sustained by hooker Sarah Delaney has opened the door for what has been a much-discussed recall.
"We got to a point where we feel it's the right time," added Bemand.
"We're carrying two hookers within the 36 [player squad].
"We've two training panelist hookers [Maeve Og O'Leary and India Daley] who are relatively recent conversions to hookers too.
"Sarah [Delaney] has picked up a little bit of a ding on her shoulder so it's the right time to give her an opportunity.
"Look, obviously it's going to be very dominant in the headlines this week.
"The conversation was very informal. I knew her, have known her, for a good while.
"We had some ongoing informal conversations. I've been in England, I've bumped into her, crossed paths.
"It's an opportunity that's presented itself. We base everything around our on-pitch performances.
"We feel this is the right time. We feel she can add to it, so she was pretty pleased to say, 'Yeah, I'd be up for coming in'."
With Neve Jones the only fully fit, long-term specialised hooker in the squad, Moloney could feature against Wales as Ireland seek a first win of the campaign following losses to France and Italy.
Bemand and McMahon spoke to media on Tuesday
"We haven't done selection yet," added Bemand.
"We've got a training week to complete for us to bed in, get to know her, her get to know us. She's day two. She's going fine and we'll see what that looks like for selection.
"You're going into these Six Nations games, that [experience] carries a bit of weight. It's going to be a good ding-dong battle against Wales.
"Having a few caps, a few experiences under your belt, I think probably gives you something that you can fall back on."
Ireland co-captain, and Moloney's Exeter team-mate, Edel McMahon welcomed the return.
"It's brilliant. I live with her so I think I know her quite well," McMahon said.
"I've been privileged to play with her for a long time with Wasps and Chiefs so I just know the standard that she lives by day to day, what she brings on the pitch.
"She's slotted in really well with the girls already. Just going about her business, straight to it."