4 Connacht girls look forward to Ireland v France Combined Armed Forces International

Connacht Rugby and Tuam stalwart Edel Durkin joins several other high-profile Irish rugby stars this afternoon as part of the Combined Irish Armed Forces maiden international squad against their French equivalents.

The Monkstown RFC-hosted fixture kicks-off at midday and features Edel's fellow former Connacht team-mates Clare Raftery and Niamh Ni Dhroma, and Buccaneers and Tullamore powerhouse Emer Phelan. 

Mother-of-two Durkin, based in Tuam, is no stranger to An Garda Siochana sporting honours having represented her country in both Rugby 7s and boxing. Several among today's First XV still play competitive club rugby and test veteran Niamh Briggs (Munster) will call the shots from out-half.

"As far as I know the French girls have established quite a tradition and these fixtures are a calendar highlight for them. This will be our first official fixture so competition for places was immense.

"I'm on the bench Friday but the whole thing has been such a thrilling experience, and everyone involved is looking forward to seeing this become an Irish rugby tradition here too," Durkin said earlier this week.

The women's match (at midday) will act as curtain-raiser to the men's fixture, Combined Irish Defence Forces v French Army Rugby team, which kicks off at 2pm. The IRFU's women, men and U20s also play their Six Nations fixtures this weekend against their French counterparts.