Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway drop to Lionesses bench as Sarina Wiegman makes FIVE changes to England team for Ireland clash

England drew 1-1 with Sweden at Wembley on Friday night in what was a disappointing start to their 2025 UEFA Women's Euro qualifying campaign and Wiegman has opted to freshen things up ahead of the Lionesses' second group match, against Ireland in Dublin.

For just the second time in the past year, Earps finds herself on the bench for her country with Hannah Hampton, who was also granted an opportunity in February, chosen between the sticks. It's one of three changes to the defensive areas of the team, with Leah Williamson's first appearance for the Lionesses in 12 months coming at the expense of Arsenal team-mate Lotte Wubben-Moy while Jess Carter replaces Niamh Charles at left-back.

There are also changes further forward with Wiegman selecting two No.10s, in Ella Toone and Jess Park, in midfield. It means Stanway and Grace Clinton are among the substitutes.

Speaking to ITV ahead of the game, Wiegman said of Williamson's return: "Of course it's really good to have her back as a leader. As I said before, there's many leaders in this team but it's great to have her back. It's great for her, it's great for the team and hopefully she'll enjoy the game and play well."

On the presence of Park and Toone in midfield, she added: "On Friday, we saw Ella Toone with her dynamic runs in behind. Also, we think that Ireland will drop a little deeper, that the spaces will be small. Jess Park has done really well, too, at club and has been decisive, is good in tight spaces. I do think that the other midfielders are good at that too, but we'll play a little bit higher with our midfield so I think that's good options for them to play."

Wiegman will hope the changes pay dividends against an Ireland side who France found tough to put away on Friday, Les Bleues only winning 1-0 despite Marie-Antoinette Katoto breaking the deadlock after just six minutes.