13 Munster Players Named In Clovers Squad For Celtic Challenge Semi Final

The semi-finals in the Celtic Challenge, featuring the Clovers and the Wolfhounds, take place on Saturday as a double header at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

The two Irish teams, who finished first and second in the league, are hoping to make the final which is being held in Hive Stadium on March 29th.

The Clovers face Gwalia Lightning at 12pm on Saturday with the Wolfhounds taking on Brython Thunder at 3pm.

The Clovers include five of the uncapped players who were named in the Ireland Women’s Squad this week – Beth Buttimer, Aoibheann McGrath, Jemima Adams Verling and Alana McInerney will all start while Eilis Cahill is in the replacements.

Buttimer packs down in the front row between Siobhan McCarthy and Sadhbh McGrath. Aoibhe O’Flynn packs down in the second row with captain Ruth Campbell. Adams Verling and McGrath are both named in the back row alongside Ailish Quinn.

A strong backline sees Emily Lane at scrum half this week alongside Enya Breen. Béibhinn Parsons is named on the left wing with Anna McGann on the right. McInerney is partnered with Niamh in the centre with Aoife Corey continuing at full back.

The Wolfhounds include a further two of the uncapped players named in Scott Bemand’s international squad with Sophie Barret and Robyn O’Connor named.

Barret starts again in the front row with India Daley and Linda Djougang. Naoise Smyth and Kate Jordan continue in the second row. The back row is an all international line up of Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore and Erin King.

Alex Connor starts at nine and is joined by Dannah O’Brien at ten. Vicky Elmes Kinlan and O’Connor are on the wings with Aoife Dalton joining Eve Higgins in the centre and Stacey Flood at full back.

Saturday March 21st KO 12pm

Clovers v Gwalia Lightning

Clovers XV
15 – Aoife Corey (Munster)
14 – Anna McGann (Connacht)
13 – Alana McInerney (Munster)
12 – Niamh Murphy (Leinster)
11- Béibhinn Parsons (Connacht)
10 – Enya Breen (Munster)
9 – Emily Lane (Munster)
1 – Siobhan McCarthy (Munster)
2 – Beth Buttimer (Munster)
3- Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster)
4 – Ruth Campbell (Leinster) (Captain)
5 – Aoibhe O’Flynn (Munster)
6 – Aoibheann McGrath (Munster)
7 – Ailish Quinn (Connacht)
8 – Jemima Adams Verling (Connacht)

Replacements:

16 – Emma Dunican (Munster)
17 – Ella Burns (Connacht)
18 – Eilís Cahill (Munster)
19 – Faith Oviawe (Connacht)
20 – Annakate Cournane (Munster)
21 – Katie Whelan (Leinster)
22 – Kate Flannery (Munster)
23 – Chisom Ugwueru (Munster)

Wolfhounds v Brython Thunder, March 21st, KO 3pm

Wolfhounds XV
15 – Stacey Flood (Leinster)
14 – Robyn O’Connor (Leinster)
13 – Aoife Dalton (Leinster) (Captain)
12 – Eve Higgins (Leinster)
11- Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Leinster)
10 – Dannah O’Brien (Leinster)
9 – Alex Connor (Leinster)
1 – Linda Djougang (Leinster)
2 – India Daley (Ulster)
3- Sophie Barrett (Ulster)
4 – Kate Jordan (Leinster)
5 – Naoise Smyth (Leinster)
6 – Fiona Tuite (Ulster)
7 – Grace Moore (IQ Rugby)
8 – Erin King (Leinster)
Replacements:
16 – Sarah Delaney (Leinster)
17 – Hannah Wilson (Leinster)
18 – Caoimhe Molloy (Leinster)
19 –Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Leinster)
20 – Regan Casey (IQ Rugby)
21 – Jade Gaffney (Leinster)
22 – Abby Moyles Ulster)
23 – Amy Larn (Leinster)

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