Fiona Coghlan and the Ireland women's team will play Italy in the Aviva in March 2014.

Fiona Coghlan and the Ireland women's team will play Italy in the Aviva in March 2014.

THE IRFU TODAY announced that the first ever women’s RBS 6 Nations fixture to be staged at the Aviva stadium will take place on March 8 2014 as part of a ‘Super Saturday’ double-header as the men and women’s team take on their Italian counterparts.

The historic match was confirmed as an extended squad of 33 players was announced by the Ireland women’s management as they prepare for their defense of their RBS 6 Nations title.

The squad includes a majority of the Grand Slam winning team as well as nine players who have never been capped before.

The game will take place after the men’s game with ticket information announced in early 2014.

Head coach, Philip Doyle said:

“Selecting a squad is always hard and this year has to be without doubt the hardest yet. Selection has been based on the players form throughout the AIL matches, including the English premiership matches where a lot of the exiles players are playing their rugby, and the inter-pro series which concluded at the weekend.”

“Some new faces have made this year’s squad which is always a good sign that the competition and standards are rising still.”

“Playing in the Aviva stadium is sure to be one of hopefully many highlights of the 2014 campaign and I know that the team will do their very best to give the Aviva crowd a great display of women’s rugby.”

Ireland open their campaign with a home fixture against Scotland on Friday, 31st January in Ashbourne RFC.

The 6 Nations squad in full: