The Republic of Ireland Women's National Team will look to build on an impressive and spirited performance against France when they face another tough test against the Netherlands in Utrecht on Saturday, March 7.

Carla Ward's side opened their League A campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to France at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night. Despite the result, Ireland delivered a performance full of character and were desperately unlucky not to earn a famous point after Denise O'Sullivan's last-gasp effort was cleared off the line in a dramatic finale.

The team will now travel to Utrecht looking to draw inspiration from their last visit in 2017, when an incredible defensive performance secured a famous 0-0 draw against the then-reigning European Champions.

Team News

Head Coach Carla Ward will be without two key players for the fixture. Midfielder Denise O'Sullivan has returned to her club after sustaining an injury in the France match, while defender Hayley Nolan also returned home earlier in the camp due to an injury sustained in training.

Match Details

Fixture: Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
Competition: UEFA Women's European Qualifiers
Date: Saturday, March 7
Kick-off: 7.45pm (8.45pm local)
Location: Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Frida Klarlund (DEN)
Assistant Referee 1: Monica Lokkeberg (DEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Alisa Levalampi (DEN)
Fourth Official: Julie Thomsen (DEN)

Press Conference | Head Coach Carla Ward

"Denise has returned home to Liverpool with that knock on her knee, she won't be available tomorrow night.

"We have a squad that is well equipped to how we are going to play. Our approach won't change.

"When you lose someone of Denise’s quality, I say it all the time, she is world class, she really is, and she makes a huge difference for what we do. Naturally, that is a big loss. Everyone knows what we want to do and we will be prepared for that.

"Katie is fine, she is good, ready to go. It was just when she slipped, her and De Almeida had that altercation just when they naturally slipped. It just caught her, but she's absolutely fine, 100%."

Press Conference | Midfielder Megan Connolly 

On the France defeat: "Yeah, obviously disappointed with the result, I think. To lose so late is obviously a tough one to take, but I think once the disappointment kind of passed, there's a lot of pride there, a lot of positives we can take from it. 

"And I think we competed for a long time against one of the best teams in the world, and I think that just shows the direction that we're going in. 

"And you know, we created a lot of chances, and another day it could have been a different result. So yeah, a lot of positives we can take and we're just looking forward to building on that now for tomorrow."

On whether her own role will change in Denise's absence:
"Yeah, possibly. I think that's for Carla to decide. But for myself, I'm just here to do a job for the team, whatever that may be. And like I said, whoever comes in, we'll do the job to the best of their ability and, yeah, we have full confidence in everyone."

Ireland WNT Squad - The Netherlands

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), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest - loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), Tara O'Hanlon (Celtic - loan).

Midfielders: 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).

FIXTURE DETAILS

Republic of Ireland 1-2 France
FIFA Women's World Cup European Qualifier
Tuesday, March 3 | Tallaght Stadium | 7.30pm

Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
FIFA Women's World Cup European Qualifier
Saturday, March 7 | Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht | 7.45pm (Irish Time)