Women's Six Nations 2024: Sam Monaghan returns to captain Ireland against Italy

Second row Sam Monaghan has returned from injury to captain Ireland against Italy in the second round of the Women's Six Nations on Sunday.

Centre Enya Breen will make her first Ireland start since picking up an injury in last year's opener with Wales.

Monaghan's co-captain Edel McMahon does not make the squad.

Ireland lost 38-17 to France in their opener while Italy were defeated 48-0 by England.

Monaghan, 28, missed Ireland's opener in Le Mans after failing to pass return to play protocols following a concussion.

The Wasps lock is joined in the second row by Dorothy Wall while Aoife Wafer moves to the back row alongside Grace Moore and Brittany Hogan.

Dannah O'Brien gets the nod to fly-half to partner Aoibheann Reilly while the returning Breen starts at centre alongside Eve Higgins.

Aoife Dalton, who scored in the defeat by France, drops to the bench.

"Last week we saw progression but know we've got to keep going after on-pitch performance," said Irish head coach Scott Bemand.

"We've made some changes to the side from last week and this reflects the competition that is building in the squad."

Ireland: Delany; Corrigan; Higgins, Breen; Parsons; O'Brien, Reilly; Djougang, Jones, Haney; Wall, Monaghan; Moore, Wafer, Hogan.

Replacements: Delaney, O'Dowd, McGrath, Tuite, Corri, Scuffil-McCabe, Fowley, Dalton.