Team announcement | Ulster U18 Girls

Ulster Rugby’s Under 18 Girls have named their team for Sunday’s PwC Interprovincial Championship 3^rd/4^th place play-off in Mullingar against Connacht. Kick-off 1pm. 

A nervy beginning to their campaign saw they lose to Connacht to home soil, but since that opening day defeat, Dan Carson’s side have grown in confidence with each passing game. 

During last week’s defeat to Leinster, the girls fell 22-points behind but came roaring back against the pre-tournament favourites before being denied in the final stages when Leinster broke through for two match winning tries. 

Carson makes one change to his starting front row with Erin Playfair coming in at loose-head prop with Alanna Scullion continuing at hooker and Aoife Kirkpatrick at tight-head. 

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There’s a further change in the second row with Maisie Bowden coming in to partner Dearbhla Smith in the engine room. 

Isabella Taylor and Yoanna Natovska join last week’s hat-trick hero Casey Johnston in the back row. 

There’s a new look half back pairing with Rachel Kelly coming in at scrumhalf and Joy Lemon at fly-half. 

Sophie Hamilton and Emily Irwin continue in the centre with Anna Murray and captain Katelyn Magee starting on the left and right wing respectively. 

Cora Hayes also returns to the starting line-up, with the Cooke player coming in at full back. 

Grace Fitzpatrick, Isabella Copeland and Charlotte Boyd have been named as the front row reinforcements, with Jessica Long and Olivia Beggs providing additional forward cover. 

Providing additional cover to the backs will be Rachel Douglas, Charlotte Thompson and Zara Wright. 

Ulster Rugby v Connacht. Under 18 Girls PwC Interprovincial Championship. 3^rd/4^th Place Play-off. Sunday 30^th August. Mullingar RFC. Kick-off 1pm. 

1. Erin Playfair (Donaghadee RFC)
2. Alanna Scullion (Cooke RFC)
3. Aoife Kirkpatrick (Ballymena RFC)
4. Dearbhla Smith (Virginia RFC)
5. Maisie Bowden (Cooke RFC)
6. Yoanna Natovska (Ballymoney RFC)
7. Casey Johnston (Virginia RFC)
8. Isabella Taylor (Ballymena RFC)
9. Rachel Kelly (Malone RFC)
10. Joy Lemon (Donaghadee RFC)
11. Anna Murray (Ballymena RFC)
12. Sophie Hamilton (Omagh RFC)
13. Emily Irwin (Omagh RFC)
14. Katelyn Magee (Banbridge RFC)
15. Cora Hayes (Cooke RFC)

Replacements:

16. Grace Fitzpatrick (Banbridge RFC)
17. Isabella Copeland (Banbridge RFC)
18. Charlotte Boyd (Clogher Valley RFC)
19. Jessica Long (Letterkenny RFC)
20. Olivia Beggs (Carrickfergus RFC)
21. Rachel Douglas (Banbridge RFC)
22. Charlotte Thompson (Ballymoney RFC)
23. Zara Wright (Clogher Valley RFC)