Team News | Munster Side Named To Face Titleholders Leinster

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 2 clash against Leinster in Energia Park (2:30pm), live on TG4 YouTube.

There have been three changes to the starting side that overcame Connacht in the opener last weekend.

Up front Aoife Fleming replaces Saoirse Crowe at hooker after impressing in her debut off the bench last week. She will join fellow debutant Grainne Burke at loosehead and the experienced Eilis Cahill at tighthead.

In the engine room is the unchanged pairing of Aoibhe O’Flynn and Claire Bennett.

There has been one change to the back-row as Clodagh O’Halloran returns to team up with captain Maeve Óg O’Leary and Chloe Pearse.

Abbie Salter-Townshend and Caitriona Finn will continue their scum-half, out-half partnership after great success in their last outing in Virgin Media Park.

Steph Nunan and Alana McInerney will remain as our duo of centres, while Ennis’ Orna Moynihan will earn her first start as she joins the back-three with last week’s hat-trick hero Chisom Ugwueru and full-back Aoife Corey.

Among the replacements, we welcome the return of Deirbhile Nic a Bháird as she lines out 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.

Speaking about the task ahead, assistant coach Niamh Briggs said:

“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.”

Munster Team To Face Leinster

15. Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC) (13)

14. Órna Moynihan (Ennis RFC) (1)

13. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC) (15)

12. Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC) (16)

11. Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC) (9)

10. Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC) (4)

9. Abbie Salter-Townshend (UL Bohemian RFC) (6)

1. Gráinne Burke (UL Bohemian RFC) (1)

2. Aoife Fleming (Ballincollig RFC) (1)

3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC) (14)

4. Aoibhe O’Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC)  (6)

5. Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC) (15)

6. Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC) (24)

7. Maeve Óg O’Leary (C) (Blackrock College RFC) (12)

8. Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC) (34)

Replacements: 

16. Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC) (4)

17. Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC) (3)

18. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC) (9)

19. Lily Morris (Ballincollig RFC) (1)

20. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC) (21)

21. Eve Prendergast (Ballincollig RFC) (1)

22. Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian RFC) (4)

23. Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC) (12)