Highlights: Combined Provinces XV open Celtic Challenge with win

Despite a strong second-half comeback, the Combined Provinces XV edged out the WRU Development XV 26-27 at Cardiff Arms Park at the weekend.

Their next fixture is this Saturday, 4th February, as they host The Thistles at Kingspan Stadium.

Five Ulster Women were named in the match day squad by Head Coach Greg McWilliams for last Sunday's opening fixture of the Celtic Challenge.

Maeve Liston started at full-back with Kelly McCormill at inside centre, while Sadhbh McGrath, India Daley and Ella Durkan were among the replacements.

First half tries from Ailsa Hughes, Emma Hooban and a brace from Ella Roberts gave the Irish side a 22-7 lead at half-time.

The Welsh side produced a spirited 2nd half comeback and at 19-22 Ireland needed an Aoife Dalton score to extend their lead and secure a first Celtic Challenge win.

Watch the highlights courtesy of the WRU.

## Combined Provinces Squad

Clara Barrett (Connacht/UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
Sophie Barrett (Ulster/Enniskillen RFC)<br>
Claire Bennett (Munster/UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
Chloe Blackmore (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)<br>
Molly Boyne (Leinster/Railway Union RFC/Dublin University FC)<br>
Natasja Behan (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Enya Breen (Munster/Blackrock College RFC) (Co-Captain)<br>
Megan Louise Collis (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)<br>
Eimear Corri (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Nicole Cronin (Munster/UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
India Daley (Ulster/Cooke RFC/Enniskillen RFC)<br>
Aoife Dalton (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Meabh Deely (Connacht/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Orla Dixon (Connacht/Galwegians RFC)<br>
Linda Djougang (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Anna Doyle (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Aoife Doyle (Munster/Railway Union RFC)<br>
Ella Durkan (Ulster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Christy Haney (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Mary Healy (Leinster/Naas RFC/Suttonians RFC)<br>
Emma Hooban (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Ailsa Hughes (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)<br>
Brittany Hogan (Ulster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Jess Keating (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Maeve Nuala Liston (Ulster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Molly Scuffil McCabe (Leinster/Railway Union)<br>
Kelly McCormill (Ulster/Cooke RFC)<br>
**Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster/Cooke RFC)<br>
Rachel McIlroy (Ulster/QUB RFC)**<br>
Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (Munster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Dannah O’Brien (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Hannah O’Connor (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC) (Co-Captain)<br>
Niamh O’Dowd (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Clodagh O’Halloran (Munster/UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
Maeve Og O’Leary (Munster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Ella Roberts (Leinster/Wicklow RFC)<br>
Stacey Sloan (Ulster/Cooke RFC)<br>
Leah Tarpey (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)<br>
Fiona Tuite (Ulster/Old Belvedere RFC)<br>
Aoife Wafer (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Kayla Waldron (Connacht/Galwegians RFC)<br>
Dorothy Wall (Munster/Blackrock College RFC)<br>
Katie Whelan (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)

## Celtic Challenge Fixtures

Combined Provinces XV v The Thistles<br>
Saturday 4th February 2023 – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (KO: 4.30pm)

WRU Development XV v The Thistles<br>
Saturday 11th February – Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 4.30pm)

Combined Provinces XV v WRU Development XV<br>
Saturday 18th February 2023 – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, (KO: 4.30pm)

The Thistles v Combined Provinces XV<br>
Saturday 25th February 2023 – DAM Health Stadium (KO: 1.30pm)