Munster Women’s Team To Face Connacht

The Munster Women’s team, sponsored by Keanes jewellers, has been named for the clash against Connacht at Irish Independent Park on Saturday (2.30pm).

A 16-3 away win over Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium gave Munster the perfect start to their Interpro title defence last week. Leah Lyons and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird touched down with Ellen Murphy and Edel Murphy kicking a penalty each in a hard-fought win.

Head Coach Wayne Falvey has made two changes to the side that beat Ulster with Edel Murphy starting at full-back and Fiona Hayes in at loosehead prop.

Siobhán Fleming captains the side once again from the back row.

Connacht will go into the game full of confidence, their 8-5 victory over Leinster in Tuam last week sets up tomorrow’s clash in Cork perfectly.

Falvey is in his third season at the helm of the Munster Women's team and has led the side to two Interprovincial titles.

Another win on Saturday will keep his side on track for a third title but it will be a big challenge for the side.

“The team are hugely looking forward to playing in Irish Independent Park,” says Falvey. “The last three years with our home game we have been down in Tralee and up in Thomond Park but it’s the first game for us in Cork.

“Connacht had a great result in Leinster so it just makes the game this weekend all the more important. We just really need to make sure that we are clinical and just build on our own performance in Ulster the last day, but it should be a cracker.

“Everything in terms of the timing of the game was based around ourselves and what suited us as a team. Because there is not much time between games, it was important for us to play all three games on a Saturday and optimise recovery.

“It was fantastic to win in Ulster last week. Any win on the road is great and especially for the first game to get us started and we are looking forward to Connacht.”

Munster team to face Connacht:
15. Edel Murphy
14. Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird
13. Niamh Kavanagh
12. Nicola Scully
11. Eimear Considine
10. Valerie Power
9. Ellen Murphy
1. Fiona Hayes
2. Gill Bourke
3. Leah Lyons
4. Chloe Pearse
5. Orlaith Buckley
6. Siobhán Fleming (C)
7. Anna Caplice
8. Heather O’Brien

Replacements: Zoe Grattage, Fiona Reidy, Nuala O’Connor, Ciara Griffin, Christine Arthurs, Mona Fehily, Áine Staunton, Laura Sheehan.