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Women's Rugby World Cup: Ireland at full strength for semi-final

Heather O'Brien. Ireland v New Zealand. Women's World Cup 2014.
Image: Heather O'Brien: Ireland No 8 has recovered from finger injury

Ireland have reverted to the same team that dumped New Zealand out of the World Cup for Wednesday's semi-final against England in Paris.

Coach Philip Doyle has recalled the XV that produced the greatest upset in the women's game when the Black Ferns, reigning champions for the past four tournaments, were defeated 17-14.

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A total of 10 changes were subsequently made for the 40-5 thrashing of Kazakhstan on Saturday in preparation for the showdown with England.

No 8 Heather O'Brien has recovered from a finger injury and resumes in the back row and full-back Niamh Briggs, Ireland's top scorer in France with 25 points, is back in the No 15 jersey.

"We have had a fantastic campaign so far and that has come from our hard work and dedication. We don't intend for it to end here," Doyle said.

Ireland: 15 N Briggs, 14 A Baxter, 13 L Cantwell, 12 G Davitt, 11 A Miller, 10 N Stapleton, 9 T Rosser; 1 F Coghlan (capt), 2 G Bourke, 3 A Egan, 4 S Spence, 5 M Louise Reilly, 6 P Fitzpatrick, 7 C Molloy, 8 H O'Brien

Replacements: 16 S Lynch, 17 F Hayes, 18 S Fleming, 19 L Guest, 20 L Muldoon, 21 J Murphy, 22 H Casey

More from Women's Rugby World Cup

You can watch Ireland take on England in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final on Sky Sports 4 HD from 4:45pm on Wednesday. And then catch the second semi-final between hosts France and Canada too, with coverage from 7.30pm.

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