"Ireland are comforted to the return of full fitness of Courtney Brosnan, even if her side had successfully negotiated the Belgium promotion play-offs without her, albeit not without some fraught moments for Grace Moloney. The other two changes from that last-gasp aggregate success in Leuven saw Megan Connolly displace Ruesha Littlejohn, who has played effectively no football since, while Anna Patten came in for Jess Stapleton."
"France had been posed with a more immediate conundrum on the eve of this one, when their first-choice netminder, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was scratched although not necessarily at the last minute, as there had been doubts shrouding her readiness all week. That there was already some anxiety concerning understudy Constance Picaud complicated matters; she was ready enough to start alongside some gilded stars, including Lyon's Diani Kadidiatou, relishing another duel with Arsenal rival Katie McCabe."
Ireland made three lineup adjustments following their Belgium promotion playoff victory. Courtney Brosnan returned to full fitness in goal, Megan Connolly replaced Ruesha Littlejohn in midfield, and Anna Patten came in for Jess Stapleton in defense. France faced goalkeeper complications when first-choice Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was unavailable, forcing them to start backup Constance Picaud. Despite concerns about Picaud's readiness, France fielded a strong squad including Lyon's Diani Kadidiatou, who would face Arsenal rival Katie McCabe. The match featured experienced players on both sides, with captains McCabe for Ireland and Geyoro for France leading their respective teams.
Read at Irish Independent
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