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Big changes to Black Ferns for Ireland clash

Black Ferns Co-Captain Ruahei Demant (right) and Ireland Captain Edel McMahon prepare for their WXV 1 game in Vancouver
Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant and Ireland captain Edel McMahon ahead of their WXV 1 game in Vancouver. PHOTO: WORLD RUGBY.

The Black Ferns have made plenty of changes to their side to take on Ireland in their opening WXV1 game in Canada on Sunday (Monday NZ Time).


Co-captain Ruahei Demant will shift back to No 10 after a shot in the second five position in the loss to England at Twickenham earlier this month


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While they were happy enough with King's performance, she drops to the reserves, as attacking midfielders Amy du Plessis and Sylvia Brunt return to the line-up in Vancouver.


Ruby Tui, who started off the bench at Twickenham, will start on the right wing.


In the forwards, hooker Atlanta Lolohea will have her first test start in just her third appearance, while Marcelle Parkes will have her first start at prop, after having a previous test start at loose forward.


Other changes to the playing 23, tighthead prop Amy Rule will start alongside Parkes and Lolohea, while Layla Sae will start at No 6, with co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) at openside and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u shifting to No 8.


On the bench, hooker Luka Connor joins fellow front rowers Chryss Viliko and Tanya Kalounivale, while loose forward Lucy Jenkins and utility back Mererangi Paul are named for the first time on this tour.


The Black Ferns have played Ireland three times, with the last match being in Dublin in 2016, with New Zealand winning by 30 points.


England and USA kick off the WXV 1 tournament on Sunday, followed by Canada and France, and then New Zealand and Ireland close out the round.

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