Hooker Aroa González will lead Spain's charge for a top seven finish at Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 after coach José Antonio Barrio announced his squad for the showpiece event on Sunday.

González has played 68 times for Las Leonas and came out of retirement two years ago at the request of Barrio to spearhead Spain's qualification bid and will at 38 years old be contesting her third Women's Rugby World Cup after appearances in 2006 and 2014.

Spain's most capped player is one of four players who played in both of those tournaments, while a further 11 were part of the Las Leonas side that finished ninth three years ago in France.

By contrast there are two uncapped players in the squad in winger Bárbara García and fly-half cum centre María Ahís, who both play for the Olímpico de Pozuelo club.

There are 11 members of Spain's squad from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the exception being captain Elisabet Martínez who has been racing against time to recover from injury and, despite scoring a try in a 15-7 warm-up win over an England A side on Saturday, has missed out.

Spain, who secured their place at WRWC 2017 with victory over Scotland in a two-leg play-off last year, will head to Cork for a week-long training camp with Ireland before facing defending champions England, USA and Italy in Pool B.

“We want to thank each of the girls that were part of this dream. There are a lot of players that will not be travelling with us to Ireland but they will be with us in spirit,” said Barrio. “Selecting these 28 players was very hard given the strength of Spanish rugby and the competitive nature of the players involved, which made our lives harder.”

Spain squad

Forwards: Aroa González (captain), Isabel Rico (vice-captain), Jeanina Vinueza, Isabel Macías, Laura Delgado, Saioa Jaurena, Rocío García, Mónica Castelo, Berta García, Elena Redondo, María Ribera, Lourdes Alameda, Diana Gassó, Paula Medín, Ángela del Pan, Carmen Pérez.

Backs: Patricia García, Anne Fernández de Corres, Carlota Méliz, María Ahís, Amaia Erbina, Bárbara García, Bárbara Pla (pictured), María Casado, Uri Barrutieta, Iera Echebarría, Vanesa Rial, Marina Bravo.