There’s A Buzz Building Across Women’s Rugby – Falvey

The Munster girls then host Connacht at Irish independent Park the following Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) before the campaign ends with a crunch clash with arch rivals Leinster at Donnybrook on Saturday, December 17 (kick-off 2.30pm).

Head coach Wayne Falvey is in his third season at the helm of the Munster Women’s and has led the side to two Interprovincial titles. While winning three in-a-row is the ultimate aim for Falvey and his side, their sole focus is on beginning this season’s Championship with a positive performance away in Ulster.

“With a lot of new faces in the squad this year, our focus is on Ulster in the first game and making sure we’re set for that,” said Falvey. “There will be new faces in the squad travelling up so we need to make sure we get that performance so we can kick on then.”

A large number of Munster players were involved in Ireland’s three-match November Series at UCD, so like his provincial counterparts, Falvey is only finalising his squad for the Interpros this week. However, he is delighted that so many of the Munster girls are reaping the rewards of their hard work with international honours.

“Overall we had 10 to 12 players involved for Ireland in the internationals which is fantastic to see. It is a testament to the structures put in place by Munster Rugby and how the girls have excelled over the past few seasons. We are thrilled to see the commitment and attitude of the players getting recognised and they are getting their just rewards,” he admitted.

It is set to be a hectic few months for Women’s rugby in Ireland with the Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place in Dublin and Belfast next August and Falvey has seen first hand how the game is growing in popularity. 

“I’ve seen it over the past three years. It has definitely grown and grown. This year, above all years, with the autumn internationals and the Six Nations, there is a buzz building across Women’s rugby from grassroots to the national team. It is going to be a long process over the next nine or so months but to have the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland is a fantastic coup.”

MUNSTER WOMEN – INTERPRO FIXTURES:

Saturday, December 3: Ulster Women v Munster Women, Kingspan Stadium, 3pm
Saturday, December 10: Munster Women v Connacht Women, Irish Independent Park, 2.30pm
Saturday, December 17: Leinster Women v Munster Women, Donnybrook, 2.30pm