Ulster squad selected for opener in Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship

Head coach Neill Alcorn has selected his squad for the trip to Munster as his side kicks off their 22/23 Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship at Musgrave Park in Cork.

Beth Cregan will again take up the captaincy as she leads the side from the front row where the hooker is joined by loosehead prop Sadhbh McGrath, and tighthead Ilse van Staden.

Keelin Brady and Helen McGhee form the lock partnership, with Brenda Barr selected at blindside flanker, Fiona Tuite moving to openside, and Stacey Sloan starting at number 8.

The halfback pairing will see Rachael McIlroy at scrum half with Ella Durkan at 10, while Mya Alcorn and Kelly McCormill pair up in midfield.

Niamh Marley lines out on the left wing, joined in the back 3 by right winger Fern Wilson, and Maeve Liston at full-back.

The replacements are Gemma McCamley, Megan Simpson, Ava Fannin, Nicola Watterson, Sophie Barrett, Amber Redmond, Amanda Morton, and Lucy Thompson.

Captain Beth Cregan said, "Everybody's always excited to get into the interpros, and we've all had good seasons with our clubs. It's a higher standard of game with a better calibre of player, and we have a really good feeling in the camp and can't wait to get going.

"Munster are the champions, so we know what we're going into there. We know they will be great tactically and technically, but we are confident in ourselves and we have to back ourselves completely regardless of who we're playing."

Head Coach Neill Alcorn said, "Heading to the champions to start the series is a big challenge, but it's one we will embrace and meet head-on. Our preparations have been going well, and we want to kick on and continue to build on the progress we made through 2022.

"We've got an exciting mix of youth and experience in this squad, and they're all keen to test themselves, representing their province at the highest level."

Ulster v Munster, Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Series, Musgrave Park, Cork, Sat 7 Jan, 4:45, Live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport NI website

1. Sadhbh McGrath – Cooke RFC
2. Beth Cregan (c) – City of Derry & Blackrock College RFC
3. Ilse van Staden – Cooke RFC
4. Keelin Brady – Railway Union
5. Helen McGhee – Cooke RFC
6. Brenda Barr – Suttonians RFC
7. Fiona Tuite – Old Belvedere RFC
8. Stacey Sloan – Cooke RFC
9. Rachael McIlroy – Queen's University RFC
10. Ella Durkan – Blackrock College RFC
11. Niamh Marley – Dungannon RFC
12. Mya Alcorn – Blackrock College RFC
13. Kelly McCormill – Cooke RFC
14. Fern Wilson - Queen's University RFC
15. Maeve Liston – Blackrock RFC

Replacements

Gemma McCamley – Cooke RFC; Megan Simpson – Cooke RFC; Ava Fannin – Blackrock College RFC; Nicole Watterson - Queen's University RFC; Sophie Barrett – Enniskillen RFC; Amber Redmond – Suttonians RFC; Amanda Morton – Cooke RFC; Lucy Thompson – Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC