Ireland lock will return from injury this weekend

Munster host Leinster at Virgin Media Park on Saturday afternoon in the opening game, with both sides naming squads packed with players who have already featured at the highest level. Later in Belfast, Ulster welcome Connacht to the Affidea Stadium as both provinces look to make an early statement in this year’s competition.

There is a strong emphasis on youth across the four squads, with a number of players in line to make their senior provincial debuts, while several established Ireland internationals provide the experience around them. With the Women’s Interprovincial Championship continuing to provide an important pathway for players pushing towards the international set-up, Round One promises to offer an early glimpse at which provinces could emerge as serious contenders.

Munster begin their campaign at home against Leinster with a powerful squad combining international experience and several players preparing to make their senior provincial debuts. International trio Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer and Eilís Cahill form the front row, while newly-minted Ireland star Jane Clohessy returns from injury to partner Clodagh O’Halloran in the second row.

The back row sees Sally Kelly and new addition Grace Moore join captain Maeve Óg O’Leary, while Emily Lane is set to make her first senior appearance for Munster at scrum-half. Enya Breen starts at fly-half, with Lucia Linn and Alana McInerney forming the centre partnership. Chisom Ugwueru and Katie Corrigan are named on the wings, with Corrigan also in line to make her Munster debut. Aoife Corey completes the back three at full-back.

There is further debutant interest on the bench, with Shannon native Tuathla Ryan set to make her senior debut, while Ellen Boylan returns after a year out with an ACL injury. Leinster, meanwhile, will be captained by Sarah Delaney for the first time, with six players in line for their first provincial caps.

Ireland captain Erin King and Roisín Kinch are both set to debut in the back row, while Eve Higgins makes her first senior appearance for Leinster at inside centre alongside Aoife Dalton.

Starting XV: 1. Siobhan McCarthy, 2. Beth Buttimer, 3. Eilís Cahill, 4. Jane Clohessy, 5. Clodagh O’Halloran, 6. Sally Kelly, 7. Grace Moore, 8. Maeve Óg O’Leary (c), 9. Emily Lane, 10. Enya Breen, 11. Chisom Ugwueru, 12. Lucia Linn, 13. Alana McInerney, 14. Katie Corrigan, 15. Aoife Corey

Replacements: 16. Emma Dunican, 17. Tuathla Ryan, 18. Alisha Flynn, 19. Aoibhe O’Flynn, 20. AnnaKate Cournane, 21. Abbie Salter-Townshend, 22. Caitríona Finn, 23. Ellen Boylan

Starting XV: 1. Caoimhe Molloy, 2. Sarah Delaney (c), 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Ruth Campbell, 5. Kate Jordan, 6. Rosie Searle, 7. Roisín Kinch, 8. Erin King, 9. Jade Gaffney, 10. Dannah O’Brien, 11. Vicky Elmes Kinlan, 12. Eve Higgins, 13. Aoife Dalton, 14. Maggie Boylan, 15. Robyn O’Connor

Replacements: 16. Emma Jane Wilson, 17. Hannah Wilson, 18. Shona White, 19. Alma Atagamen, 20. Aoife Corcoran, 21. Alex Connor, 22. Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton, 23. Emma Tilly

Ulster will look to make home advantage count when they welcome Connacht to the Affidea Stadium, with head coach Murray Houston naming four potential debutants in his matchday 23. Claire Boles is handed the captaincy in the absence of injured skipper India Daley and starts at number eight alongside Moya Hill and Christy Hill.

There is also a welcome boost in the front row, with Ireland international Sadhbh McGrath returning at loosehead alongside Maebh Clenaghan and Sophie Barrett. Fiona Tuite returns to Interprovincial action after missing last year’s campaign due to the World Cup and partners Rebecca Beacom in the second row.

Caitlin Crowe, last season’s SAM Mouldings Ulster Young Player of the Year, starts at outside centre alongside Lucy Thompson, while Rachael McIlroy and Abby Moyles form the half-back pairing. Connacht head coach Craig Hansberry has selected co-captains Ailish Quinn and Aoibheann Reilly, with the pair leading a side containing a blend of international experience and emerging talent.

Ireland international Anna McGann starts on the wing following her involvement in the Women’s Six Nations, while Meabh Deely starts at fly-half and Siofra Hession and Lyndsay Clarke form the midfield. Quinn is joined in the back row by Emma Kelly and Jemima Adams Verling, with Faith Oviawe and Emma Fabby in the engine room.

Hansberry believes his side can rise to the challenge despite starting the campaign away from home.

“Starting the campaign away from home is always a challenge, especially against an Ulster side who’ll be really targeting this game. But we’re confident in our abilities and if we play to the level I know we’re capable of, we’ll be tough to beat.”

Starting XV: 1. Sadhbh McGrath, 2. Maebh Clenaghan, 3. Sophie Barrett, 4. Fiona Tuite, 5. Rebecca Beacom, 6. Moya Hill, 7. Christy Hill, 8. Claire Boles (c), 9. Rachael McIlroy, 10. Abby Moyles, 11. Siobhan Sheerin, 12. Lucy Thompson, 13. Caitlin Crowe, 14. Katie Gilmour, 15. Niamh Marley

Replacements: 16. Emily Whittle, 17. Sarah Roberts, 18. Ava Fannin, 19. Ellen Patterson, 20. Katie Hetherington, 21. Amy McConkey, 22. Leah Irwin, 23. Ella Durkan

Starting XV: 1. Ella Burns, 2. Kara Mulcahy, 3. Lily Morris, 4. Faith Oviawe, 5. Emma Fabby, 6. Emma Kelly, 7. Ailish Quinn (c), 8. Jemima Adams Verling, 9. Aoibheann Reilly (c), 10. Meabh Deely, 11. Anna McGann, 12. Siofra Hession, 13. Lyndsay Clarke, 14. Ava Ryder, 15. Clara Barrett

Replacements: 16. Stacy Hanley, 17. Laura Scuffil, 18. Hannah Rapley, 19. Olivia Tallon, 20. Hannah Johnston, 21. Gráinne Moran, 22. Alanna Fitzpatrick, 23. Emily Foley