VODAFONE WOMEN'S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP 3RD-4TH PLACE PLAY-OFF:
Saturday, August 29 –
CONNACHT v ULSTER, Dexcom Stadium, 2pm (live on Spórt TG4 YouTube channel)
Recent Interprovincial Form: Connacht: LWWLL; Ulster: LLLLL
2026 Interprovincial Championship Top Scorers: Connacht – Points: Méabh Deely 11; Tries: Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly 2 each; Ulster – Points: Claire Boles, Sophie Barrett, Olivia McKinley 5 each; Tries: Claire Boles, Sophie Barrett, Olivia McKinley 1 each
Last Five Meetings: 2024: Ulster 25 Connacht 25, Kingspan Stadium; 3rd-4th Place Play-Off: Ulster 19 Connacht 33, Kingspan Stadium; 2025: Connacht 12 Ulster 7, Dexcom Stadium; 3rd-4th Place Play-Off: Ulster 30 Connacht 37, Energia Park; 2026: Ulster 10 Connacht 15, Affidea Stadium
Players To Watch Out For: Connacht: Ailish Quinn – While her co-captaincy has allowed her to showcase her leadership qualities, Ailish Quinn has continued to do what makes her one of the most promising young Irish back rowers.
At the end of the round robin series, the former Ballina forward stood out as Connacht's top ball carrier (39) and tackler (43), racking up the most running metres (226.3) for her team too.
Ulster: Ella Durkan – After two earlier cameos from the bench, and last Saturday's start at out-half, Ella Durkan's move to full-back could see her have a major impact for Ulster tomorrow afternoon.
The talented footballer has a strong right boot and a smart rugby brain, and will look to get more out of Ulster's back-line in an attacking sense, dovetailing with fellow playmaker Abby Moyles.
Team News: Ireland Under-18 starlet Aoife Heaney will make her full debut for the Connacht senior team, just a week on from a dynamic 21-minute performance off the bench against Munster.
A proud product of Claremorris Colts RFC, Heaney will slot in on the right wing as one of two personnel changes made by the province's head coach Craig Hansberry.
Connacht are bidding for their third play-off win over Ulster in as many seasons. They have only lost twice to Ulster - 18-5 in December 2012 and 36-14 in September 2023 - in recent memory.
However, seven points has been their biggest winning margin across the last three clashes, including their hard-fought 15-10 triumph at Affidea Stadium three weeks ago.
For Saturday's battle for a third place finish, Hansberry's side will be aiming to make the most of home advantage, as they run out at Dexcom Stadium for the second week running.
Recent debutant Clare Gorman, an Ireland Sevens international, switches across to the left wing, with Galwegians' Emily Foley held in reserve this week.
Stacy Hanley returns as the westerners' starting hooker, while Faith Oviawe - with a competition-high five lineout steals - and Poppy Garvey start their third match together in the second row.
Co-captain Ailish Quinn and her back row colleague Jemima Adams Verling, the scorer of a superb solo try against Munster, have played all 240 minutes so far, as has Anna McGann.
Connacht's bench has been refreshened with two more members of this year's Ireland U-18 squad - Ballina prop Evie Kennedy and Ballinasloe back rower Róisín Power - added as forward cover, along with Old Belvedere's Kara Mulcahy.
Meanwhile, it has been a disappointing campaign results wise for Murray Houston's Ulster team, but the head coach has used this year’s Interprovincial Championship to blood several younger players into the senior ranks.
Debuts have been handed to Caitlin Crowe, Grace Simati, Amy McConkey, Leah Irwin and Olvia McKinley, while the addition of the experienced Claire Boles to the Ulster back row has also been a welcome addition to the squad.
Boles has delivered some stand-out moments this season, and in the absence of captain India Daley, the Railway Union player has stepped in as skipper with minimal fuss.
Boles will don the captain’s armband for Saturday’s game from number 8 where she will be joined by Moya hill and Rebecca Beacom.
After scoring her first senior try last week, Olivia McKinlay continues in the second row with Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan.
Houston has rejigged his front row with Sadhbh McGrath moving to tight head with Sarah Roberts coming at loose head. Maebh Clenaghan continues at hooker.
Behind the scrum, Rachael McIlroy continues at scrumhalf with Abby Moyles returning to fly-half.
There’s further changes in the centre with Leah Irwin moving from outside to inside centre. Caitlin Crowe reverts to outside centre after a brief stint on the wing and her place on the right wing goes to Katie Gilmour.
Ella Durkan takes over at full back with Niamh Marley moving back to her more accustomed left-wing berth.
Emily Whittle, Sophie Barrett and Ava Fannin are named as front row cover on the bench with Ellen Patterson and Stacey Sloan also being named as replacements.
There are also place in the matchday squad for Georgia Boyce, Siobhan Sheerin and Rebecca Mann.
CONNACHT: Clara Barrett; Aoife Heaney, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Clare Gorman; Méabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Stacy Hanley, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Róisín Power, Emily Foley, Síofra Hession, Sarah Purcell.
ULSTER: Ella Durkan; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Leah Irwin, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Olivia McKinley, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Claire Boles (capt).
Replacements: Emily Whittle, Sophie Barrett, Ava Fannin, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Siobhán Sheerin, Rebecca Mann.
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Jonny Quinn, Shane Gaughan (both IRFU)
VODAFONE WOMEN'S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL:
Saturday, August 29 –
MUNSTER v LEINSTER, Dexcom Stadium, 4.30pm (live on Spórt TG4 YouTube channel)
Recent Interprovincial Form: Munster: WWWWW; Leinster: WLLWW
2026 Interprovincial Championship Top Scorers: Munster – Points: Beth Buttimer 30; Tries: Beth Buttimer 6; Leinster – Points: Robyn O'Connor 25; Tries: Robyn O'Connor 5
Last Five Meetings: 2024: Munster 32 Leinster 21, Virgin Media Park; Final: Munster 7 Leinster 27, Kingspan Stadium; 2025: Leinster 22 Munster 33, Energia Park; Final: Leinster 15 Munster 50, Energia Park; 2026: Munster 39 Leinster 19, Virgin Media Park
Players To Watch Out For: Munster: Alana McInerney – Included in the Ireland training squad ahead of the upcoming WXV Global Series, Alana McInerney's impressively consistent performances for Munster are edging her ever closer to a first international cap.
Showing her versatility this month with starts at outside centre and on the right wing, the Ennis native comes into the final on the back of last week's stylish hat-trick against Connacht, and with 30 carries and six line breaks to her name.
Leinster: Kate Jordan – Recently securing her first national contract within the IRFU Women's High Performance Programme, Kate Jordan is a second row with the raw materials to push to a higher level.
The Blackrock College forward played a big role for the Wolfhounds last season, and had her first exposure to the national camp during the Guinness Women's Six Nations as an injury replacement for Jane Clohessy.
Pre-Match Views - Matt Brown (Munster): "I suppose we've had three really good group games - not without things we can get better at - but I also wouldn't read anything into us beating Leinster on day one.
"Because you look at their team and it's practically an Irish team, and if they turn up in the right frame of mind, it could be a tough afternoon for us.
"So, look, I'm happy with where our performances have gone, albeit there's a bit to work on. For the final, I think it is who is able to turn up best on the day.
"We've just got to make sure that we win that arm wrestle and don't give them a foothold in the game because I think when we get the ball and we do retain the ball quite well, we can go high phases there and swing the balance in our favour."
Erin King (Leinster): "I think the results speak for themselves (over the last two rounds). We definitely have improved. We are becoming a lot more tight-knit as a unit.
"In the first game (away to Munster), we were all on slightly different pages. Even then, you could see glimpses of the potential we had in that Munster game.
"Maybe they were hungrier than us down in Virgin Media Park that day. The main point is that we just have to be more physical and come out firing on Saturday.
"From the get-go, we need to be on it. We need a fast start. There is no way around it. We need to front up physically to win the title."
Team News: There are two changes for defending champions Munster after last week's 47-12 bonus point win over Connacht. They return to Dexcom Stadium seeking back-to-back titles.
Eilís Cahill is back to full fitness this week as she packs down at tighthead with regulars Siobhan McCarthy and Beth Buttimer.
In the second row Clodagh O’Halloran makes the shift from flanker as she replaces the injured Jane Clohessy at lock, she will accompany UL Bohs clubmate Aoibhe O’Flynn who starts at four.
Captain Maeve Óg O’Leary makes her return from injury as she is named at eight and joins Sally Kelly and Grace Moore in the back row.
Brown has named an unchanged back line for Saturday’s final.
Emily Lane and Caitriona Finn continue their partnership at nine and ten.
Enya Breen takes up the inside centre shirt while Lucia Linn continues to occupy the outside channel.
Chisom Ugwueru and Alana McInerney occupy the wings while Aoife Corey is named at full back.
Newcomers Caoimhe Murphy and Niamh O’Mahony retain their spots amongst the replacements this week after impressing against Connacht. They join Emma Dunican, Tuathla Ryan, Alisha Flynn, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Andrea Murphy and Katie Corrigan.
Meanwhile, Leinster head coach Sana Govender has also made two changes to the starting XV from last week's 75-5 victory at Ulster, with Dannah O’Brien coming back into the team at out-half and Kate Jordan moving up from the bench into the second row.
O’Brien is partnered by Katie Whelan at scrum-half, with Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins continuing in the centre once more.
Robyn O’Connor continues on the right wing after touching down five times in the previous game, with Vicky Elmes Kinlan on the opposite side and Stacey Flood at full-back.
Sarah Delaney captains the side from hooker once more with Caoimhe Molloy and Linda Djougang either side of her at prop.
Jordan partners last Saturday’s Player of the Match Ruth Campbell in the second row, with Kathy Baker and Regan Casey on the flanks alongside Erin King at number eight.
Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson and Hope Lowney offer the front row cover once more with Roisin Kinch, Aoife Corcoran and Nikki Gibson filling out the forward reinforcements. Alex Connor and Emma Tilly will cover the backline as Govender opts for a 6-2 split.
MUNSTER: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhán McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill, Aoibhe O'Flynn, Clodagh O'Halloran, Sally Kelly, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O'Leary (capt).
Replacements: Emma Dunican, Tuathla Ryan, Alisha Flynn, Caoimhe Murphy, Niamh O'Mahony, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Andrea Murphy, Katie Corrigan.
LEINSTER: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Caoimhe Molloy, Sarah Delaney (capt), Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Kate Jordan, Kathy Baker, Regan Casey, Erin King.
Replacements: Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Hope Lowney, Róisín Kinch, Aoife Corcoran, Nikki Gibson, Alex Connor, Emma Tilly.
Referee: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Shane Gaughan, Jonny Quinn (both IRFU)
