Enniskillen forward Sophie Barrett has been named in the 26-player Ireland U-18 Women’s squad that will travel to Edinburgh over the Easter break to compete in the inaugural U-18 Women’s Six Nations festival in Edinburgh.
Barrett – who recently helped her school, Erne Integrated College, to the Ulster Girls Schools Senior Cup with victory over neighbours Enniskillen Royal – was one of six players from the newly-established Women’s National Talent Squad (WNTS) selected for the U-18s Six Nations Festival.
The Girls’ U-18 Six Nations Festival promotes a learning environment for these young players and the coaches to develop and experience international competition.
Ireland will play 35-minute matches against England and France on Game Day One, on April 9, before playing a full 70-minute fixture against Wales on Game Day Two on April 13.
Six Nations will stream each game from Day Two of the U-18 Women’s Festival on their YouTube channel and the feed for Ireland’s game against Wales will be available on irishrugby.ie.
Katie Fitzhenry, IRFU Women’s Performance Pathway Coach, said: “Over the past few weeks we have seen this group grow and meet each challenge the coaching group have set for them.
“They are a credit to their clubs and provincial coaches.
“The Six Nations Festival will be another great development marker in their young playing careers as the format ensures that each performance is a chance to learn and get better.
“It is a proud moment to pull on a green jersey for the first time, and I am sure it will feel just as special for this group.”
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