Vodafone Women's Interprovincials Round 2: All you need to know

RTÉ News​

5 days ago

Fixtures
Round 2: Saturday August 16th
Leinster v Munster, Energia Park, 2.30pm
Connacht v Ulster, Dexcom Stadium, 4.15pm
TV
Watch both games on TG4's YouTube channel.
Online
Match reports available post-game on RTÉ Sport Online and RTÉ News app.
Round two of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial series promises to be a gripping weekend as we get a repeat of last year's final between Leinster and Munster, while Connacht welcome a strong-looking Ulster squad to the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
, albeit in different styles.
Reigning champions Leinster had to battle until the end in their imperfect victory over Ulster.
A hat-trick of tries from debutant Emma Brogan helped them to squeeze past Murray Houston's side 37-21, but that game was in the balance until the final quarter.
Munster, however, had no stress in their only home game of the series against Connacht.
The 2022 champions squad ran out 44-5 winners, also fuelled by a hat-trick from their winger Chisom Ugweru, sister of Clare footballer Ikem Ugweru.
Leinster v Munster
Kicking off the round we have a mouthwatering clash in Donnybrook where Munster are the visitors to Energia Park, as they take on last year's winners.
These two sides have been evenly matched in recent years, with both teams winning one game apiece in last season's competition.
Munster were the victors in the pool stages, before Leinster got over the line in the final.
However, given Ireland's impending Rugby World Cup exploits, there's a new look to both sets of squads.
Leinster head coach Ben Martin has made two changes from last week's victory with Irish international Vicky Elmes Kinlan returning.
The Sevens' star makes her Leinster debut at centre with Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton also starting at full-back.
There are three more potential debutants on the bench in Hannah Wilson, Alma Atagamen and Heidi Lyons.
Munster have also freshened up proceedings with three switches to the starting 15 and more in reserve.
Aoife Fleming makes her first provincial start in the front row, while Clodagh O'Halloran comes in on the flank.
Ennis' Orna Moynihan also earns her first start on the right wing.
Ireland's Deirbhile Nic a Bháird returns to the Munster bench alongside fellow international Jane Clohessy.
Leinster: Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton; Emma Brogan, Kathy Baker, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Maggie Boylan; Nikki Caughey, Jade Gaffney; Aoife Moore, Lisa Callan, Katie Layde; Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair, Kate Jordan; Ciara Short, Molly Boyne (capt), Jane Neill.
Replacements: Kelly Burke, Hannah Wilson, Clodagh Dunne, Alma Atagamen, Rosie Searle, Katie Whelan, Heidi Lyons, Katie Corrigan.
Munster: Aoife Corey; Orna Moynihan, Alana McInerney, Stephanie Nunan, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitriona Finn, Abbie Salter-Townshend; Gráinne Burke, Aoife Fleming, Eilís Cahill; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Claire Bennett; Clodagh O'Halloran, Maeve Óg O'Leary (capt), Chloe Pearse.
Replacements: Ciara McLoughlin, Emma Dunican, Lily Morris, Jane Clohessy, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Eve Prendergast, Lucia Linn, Kate Flannery.
Connacht v Ulster
The evening tie of the round sees Ulster travel down to Galway to take on Connacht, with both sides looking for their first win of the season.
Ravenhill was the venue for both of their meetings last season, with Connacht taking the spoils once, and a drawn game in the other encounter.
Connacht have also made a handful of changes following their defeat in Cork a week ago.
Hannah Coen, Roisin Maher, Kayla Waldron, Ailish Quinn and Hannah Clarke come into the starting side with Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney and Faith Oviawe among the reserves.
Quinn and Oviawe were both a part of Ireland's training squad over the summer.
Ulster have also shuffled the deck and gone for a 6:2 bench split for the trip to Galway.
Ava Fannin and Moya Hill start in the pack with Niamh Marley moving to the wing to allow Kate Farrell-McCabe to start in the number 15 shirt.
Sophie Meeke and Kelly McCormill offer the backline bench option.
Connacht: Clara Barrett, Emily Foley, Orla Dixon, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (capt), Hannah Clarke, Kayla Waldron, Grainne Moran; Hannah Coen, Lily Brady, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Grace Browne Moran, Beibhinn Gleeson, Ailish Quinn, Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Faith Oviawe, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Lesley Ring, Ava Ryder, Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin.
Ulster: Kate Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Siohbán Sheerin, Tara O'Neill, Niamh Marley, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Georgia Boyce; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Ava Fannin, Lauren Darley, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Ruby Starrett, India Daley (capt).