Murray Houston has named his sides for Saturday’s Vodafone Interprovincial clash with Leinster at Affidea Stadium. Kick-off 2.30pm.
In all, there are five changes to the team that started against Munster last weekend with a further three positional switches as the province aim to seal a win ahead of finals weekend next week in Galway.
Captain India Daley has been unable to recover from the injury picked up in last weeks defeat in Cork. That means a second start in this year’s championship for Maebh Clenaghan at hooker, with Sadhbh McGrath and Sophie Barrett continuing at loose and tight head respectively.
Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan continues in the second row where she will be joined by Olivia McKinney who will be making her first start in a senior jersey.
Rebecca Beacom moves from the second row to openside with Moya Hill continuing at blindside flanker.
Claire Boles continues at number 8 and in the absence of Daley, the Railway Union player will take over as captain.
Rachael McIlroy starts at scrum half with Ella Durkan coming at fly-half for her first start in this year’s championship.
There is a new centre pairing with Siobhan Sheerin teaming up with Leah Irwin to form a new-look midfield.
Lucy Thompson moves to the left wing with Virginia’s Caitlin Crowe occupying the right side with Niamh Marley again being named at full back.
Emily Whittle will provide back-up at hooker with Bronagh Cassidy and debutant Grace Simati being named as front row cover.
Christy Hill and Stacey Sloan give Houston further forward options from the bench, with Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour and Abby Moyles being named as backline replacements.
Match tickets are available to buy here.
Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby. Vodafone Interprovincial Championship. Saturday 22nd August. Affidea Stadium. Kick-off 2.30pm. The match will also be streamed on Live on TG4 YouTube
- Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC)
- Maebh Clenaghan (Queens RFC)
- Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC)
- Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC)
- Olivia McKinney (Banbridge RFC)
- Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC)
- Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen RFC)
- Claire Boles (C) (Railway Union RFC)
- Rachael McIlroy (Queens RFC)
- Ella Durkan (Blackrock College RFC)
- Lucy Thompson (Enniskillen RFC)
- Siobhan Sheerin (Clogher Valley RFC)
- Leah Irwin (Enniskillen RFC)
- Caitlin Crowe (Enniskillen RFC)
- Niamh Marley (Queens RFC)
Replacements
- Emily Whittle (Queens RFC)
- Bronach Cassidy (Cooke RFC)
- Grace Simati (Cooke RFC)
- Christy Hill (Ballymena RFC)
- Stacey Sloan (Enniskillen RFC)
- Georgia Boyce (Cooke RFC)
- Katie Gilmour (Cooke RFC)
- Abby Moyles (Blackrock College RFC)