a day ago
Munster make three changes for Leinster interpro
Munster and Leinster have named their sides for their Vodafone's Women's Interprovincial Championship round two clash on Saturday at Energia Park (2.30pm).
There are three changes to the Munster side that defeated Connacht in their opener last weekend with Aoife Fleming replacing Saoirse Crowe at hooker after impressing in her debut off the bench last week. She joins Grainne Burke and Eilis Cahill in the front row.
The engine room pairing of Aoibhe O'Flynn and Claire Bennett remain unchanged. Clodagh O'Halloran returns to the back row to join captain Meave Óg O'Leary and Chloe Pearse.
Abbie Salter-Townshend and Caitriona Finn remain unchanged as Steph Nunan and Alana McInerney continue in the centre. Ennis' Orna Moynihan earns her first start as she joins Chisom Ugwueru, who scored a hat-trick last weekend, and Aoife Corey in the back three.
Deirbhile Nic a Bháird is amongst the replacements as she returns for the first time since September 2023.
She is joined by Ciara McLoughlin, Emma Dunican, Jane Clohessy, Lily Morris, Eve Prendergast, Lucia Linn and Kate Flannery on the bench.
Assistant coach Niamh Briggs is set for the challenge ahead. 'Away games offer a different challenge, especially for our younger group.
"Leinster play an exciting brand of rugby, and for us it's about mindset on Saturday.'
Meanwhile, Leinster have made two changes to their starting XV and four changes to the replacements for the Munster clash.
Ireland international Vicky Elmes Kinlan makes her debut when she starts at 12 while Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton starts at full-back after coming off the bench after seven minutes last week.
Emma Brogan, who scored a hat-trick against Ulster, starts on the wing alongside Maggie Boylan while Kathy Baker will start at outside centre after her Player of the Match performance last weekend.
Nikki Caughey and Jade Gaffney continue their half-back partnership. Molly Boyne captains the side and is joined by Ciara Short and Jane Neill in the back row.
Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair and Kate Jordan continuue in the second row with Aoife Moore, Lisa Callen and Katie Layde start in an unchanged front row.
There is three uncapped players on the bench with Hannah Wilson, Alma Atagamen and Heidi Lyons set for their debuts off the benchh. Katie Whelan returns to the squad and is joined on the bench by Kelly Burke, Clodagh Dunne, Rosie Searle and Katie Corrigan.
MUNSTER (v Leinster): A Corey, Ó Moynihan, A McInerney, S Nunan, C Ugwueru, C Finn, A Salter-Townshend; G Burke, A Fleming, E Cahill, A O'Flynn, C Bennett, C O'Halloran, M Óg O'Leary (c), C Pearse.
Replacements: C McLoughlin, E Dunican, J Clohessy, L Morris, S Nic a Bháird, E Prendergast, L Linn, K Flannery.
LEINSTER (v Munster): E O'Sullivan-Sexton, E Brogan, K Baker, V Elmes Kinlan, M Boylan, N Caughey, J Gaffney; A Moore, L Callen, K Layde, C Ní Chonchobhair, K Jordan, C Short, M Boyne, J Neill.
Replacements: K Burke, H Wilson, C Dunne, A Atagamen, R Searle, K Whelan, H Lyons, K Corrigan.
