Megan Connolly returns for Ireland's World Cup qualifiers

Michael Bolton

Republic of Ireland midfielder Megan Connolly has returned to the Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands in March.

Connolly missed the November friendly against Hungary in November due to injury and is back in Carla Ward's squad for the upcoming games.

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan also returns from injury, but Heather Payne misses out despite her return from injury.

Ireland will face France at Tallaght Stadium on March 3rd, before travelling to the Netherlands four days later.

The other team in the group is Poland, whom they will face in a double-header in April.

The winners of the group qualify directly for the 2027 tournament in Brazil, with the rest guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

A third-place finish would mean Ireland potentially gets a kinder draw in the play-offs, while also ensuring they stay in League A for the next Nations League.

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).

Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest - loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland).

Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest - loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).