VODAFONE WOMEN'S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 3:
Saturday, August 22 –
ULSTER (4th) v LEINSTER (2nd), Affidea Stadium, 2.30pm (live on Spórt TG4 YouTube Channel)
Recent Interprovincial Form: Ulster: LLLLL; Leinster: LWLLW
2026 Interprovincial Championship Top Scorers: Ulster – Points: Claire Boles, Sophie Barrett 5 each; Tries: Claire Boles, Sophie Barrett 1 each; Leinster – Points: Dannah O'Brien, Hannah Wilson, Maggie Boylan 10 each; Tries: Hannah Wilson, Maggie Boylan 2 each
Last Five Meetings: 2021: Leinster 57 Ulster 12, Energia Park; 2023: Ulster 0 Leinster 43, Queen’s University Upper Malone; Leinster 57 Ulster 5, Energia Park; 2024: Ulster 14 Leinster 39, Kingspan Stadium; 2025: Leinster 37 Ulster 21, Energia Park
Players To Watch Out For: Ulster: Sadhbh McGrath – Results may not have gone Ulster's way over the competition's opening fortnight, but it has been encouraging to see the performances produced by the likes of Sadhbh McGrath in the front row.
Still just 21, the Donegal native will scrummage against her Ireland team-mate Linda Djougang tomorrow, in an intriguing set-piece showdown. She has made 21 tackles in 92 match minutes so far, with ten carries and two tackle breaks.
Leinster: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton – With Ireland star Dannah O'Brien not involved in the third round clash, this is a big opportunity for Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton to showcase her talents in the number 10 jersey.
A graduate of the Mullingar RFC youths system, the 21-year-old is a skilful operator at half-back, and will have her Old Belvedere club-mate Katie Whelan alongside her. They also paired up against Connacht last year.
Pre-Match Views - Ruth Campbell (Leinster): "I am really excited to see what we can achieve. We really have to get after it (away to Ulster) this weekend.
"Sana (Govender) puts a lot of onus on connection throughout the team. All of us need to be on the same page, working together and holding ourselves responsible on and off the pitch.
"At the higher level, these are non-negotiable. It is still good to reinforce that, especially for the younger players coming up."
Team News: Dual international Claire Boles will lead Ulster for the second time this season, with the injury that captain India Daley picked up in Cork unfortunately sidelining her.
The Ulster Women are looking for a strong finish to the round robin series, as head coach Murray Houston makes five personnel changes, and three positional switches, to the team that lost 62-0 to Munster.
The most notable inclusion is Banbridge's teenage lock Olivia McKinley who comes in to make her first senior start for the province, partnering Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan in the engine room.
Daley's absence in the front row is covered by Queen's University hooker Maebh Clenaghan, who will pack down with Sadhbh McGrath and Sophie Barrett either side of her.
Enniskillen's Rebecca Beacom shifts to the openside flanker role, and the versatile Ella Durkan replaces Abby Moyles in the out-half position, starting alongside Rachael McIlroy.
Following two appearances off the bench, Leah Irwin, who recovered from a serious shoulder injury to play for the Ireland U-21s earlier this year, will make her first start in Ulster's midfield.
An exciting young talent, she forms a new centre partnership with Siobhán Sheerin, while Lucy Thompson moves to the left wing, Virginia's Caitlin Crowe goes to the right side, and Niamh Marley continues at full-back.
The hosts' bench also has a youthful look to it, with promising Cooke prop Grace Simati set to win her first Ulster senior cap, and Emily Whittle and Bronach Cassidy poised for their seasonal bows.
Meanwhile, Sana Govender has made eight changes to his starting XV as Leinster head to Belfast in search of a bonus point win to secure their place in the final.
The Sarah Delaney-led Blues sit second in the table, a point above Connacht whom they defeated 36-21 last Saturday, and will be hoping to take care of business in tomorrow's earlier kick-off.
Wicklow's Caoimhe Molloy joins Delaney and Linda Djougang in the front row, and Alma Atagamen from Balbriggan, and fellow lock Ruth Campbell, will bring plenty of physicality to the tight five.
Ireland captain Erin King will make her third successive start, but with new flankers alongside her in Blackrock College's Regan Casey, on her first start for Leinster, and Kathy Baker.
Old Belvedere duo Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton and Katie Whelan take the reins at half-back - this will be O'Sullivan Sexton's second start for Leinster at out-half - and there is more game-time for Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins in the centre.
Fresh from her try-scoring debut against Connacht, Stacey Flood makes it back-to-back starts at full-back, but this time she will have Robyn O'Connor and Vicky Elmes Kinlan for company in the back-three.
Ireland Sevens flyer Amy Larn is one of two uncapped players on Leinster's bench, the other one being MU Barnhall prop Hope Lowney, who was involved with Connacht in recent seasons.
Blackrock duo Kate Jordan and Nikki Gibson are part of the forward cover, and U-21 international Niamh Murphy will be eager for more after marking her Leinster debut last week with a late try.
ULSTER: Niamh Marley; Caitlin Crowe, Leah Irwin, Siobhán Sheerin, Lucy Thompson; Ella Durkan, Rachael McIlroy; Sadhbh McGrath, Maebh Clenaghan, Sophie Barrett, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Olivia McKinley, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Claire Boles (capt).
Replacements: Emily Whittle, Bronach Cassidy, Grace Simati, Christy Hill, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Katie Gilmour, Abby Moyles.
LEINSTER: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton, Katie Whelan; Caoimhe Molloy, Sarah Delaney (capt), Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Alma Atagamen, Regan Casey, Kathy Baker, Erin King.
Replacements: Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Hope Lowney, Kate Jordan, Nikki Gibson, Alex Connor, Niamh Murphy, Amy Larn.
Referee: John Purcell (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Morgan McCartney, Glenda Mellon (both IRFU)
VODAFONE WOMEN'S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 3:
Saturday, August 22 –
CONNACHT (3rd) v MUNSTER (1st), Dexcom Stadium, 4.15pm (live on Spórt TG4 YouTube Channel)
Recent Interprovincial Form: Connacht: WLWWL; Munster: WWWWW
2026 Interprovincial Championship Top Scorers: Connacht – Points: Méabh Deely 11; Tries: Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly 2 each; Munster – Points: Beth Buttimer 30; Tries: Beth Buttimer 6
Last Five Meetings: 2021: Munster 31 Connacht 7, Musgrave Park; 2023: Connacht 24 Munster 50, the Sportsground; Munster 46 Connacht 7, Musgrave Park; 2024: Connacht 24 Munster 29, Dexcom Stadium; 2025: Munster 44 Connacht 5, Virgin Media Park
Players To Watch Out For: Connacht: Uillin Eilian – It shows how highly rated the Ireland Under-18 squad from last season was given that a number of the players, including Connacht hooker Uillin Eilian, are gracing the senior Interpros already.
Part of the impressive Tuam/Oughterard club pathway, the teenager has already broken through to play for the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge, and will relish coming up against the in-form Beth Buttimer tomorrow.
Munster: Alisha Flynn – In her second year as a member of the Munster squad, Alisha Flynn has big shoes to fill this weekend as she deputises at tighthead for Ireland international Eilís Cahill.
The Waterford native was a standout prop for Old Belvedere last season, and made further progress with both the Wolfhounds and the Ireland Under-21s. A strong scrummager who also packs a punch with her carries.
Pre-Match Views - Niamh Briggs (Munster): "There's a really good cohesive part to this group, and we want to see them getting better every week. That's a big thing for us.
"There were elements (against Ulster) that we were really happy with, some of our ability to move the ball, some of our breakdown work was excellent and some wasn't, and it's probably just around the consistency of how we do things.
"Connacht are a really good side, they dug out a really difficult win up at Ulster, and I thought they were really unlucky not to get more scores or even win that game against Leinster."
Craig Hansberry (Connacht): "We were very disappointed last weekend as there was a genuine belief within the group that we could get the win (against Leinster).
"Ultimately it came down to fine margins, and despite the loss, I was really proud of the way the players applied themselves against such a strong team. They'll take a lot from the experience.
"Munster are another massive challenge, but the girls are buzzing to line out in front of their home fans for the first time this season. Hopefully there will be a big crowd to come out and support them."
Team News: Clare Gorman and Uillin Eilian will both make their first senior starts for Connacht when they host defending champions and table toppers Munster at Dexcom Stadium.
The Craig Hansberry-coached westerners have consecutive matches at their Galway base to look forward to, as the Interprovincial finals day will be held there next Saturday.
Connacht picked up four points from their opening two games, and will hope that the result between Ulster and Leinster is a favourable one for them, before taking on Munster who are on a six-match winning streak.
A development player with the province last year, teenager Eilian is rewarded with her senior debut at hooker, packing down between Ella Burns and ex-Munster prop Lily Morris.
Faith Oviawe and Poppy Garvey continue together in the lock positions, and there is a third successive outing for the loose forward trio of Emma Kelly, co-captain Ailish Quinn, and Jemima Adams Verling.
Following a solid 17-minute cameo against Leinster, Gorman takes over from fellow Ireland Sevens international Alanna Fitzpatrick on the right wing. Clara Barrett and Emily Foley complete the back-three.
Méabh Deely and co-captain Aoibheann Reilly will direct operations from half-back, with Anna McGann - Connacht's joint-top try scorer (2) alongside Reilly - combining again with Lyndsay Clarke, another former Munster player, in the centre.
On the bench, Hannah Coen, Sarah Purcell, and debutant Aoife Heaney could all make their first appearances of the campaign. Purcell makes a welcome return having last played for Connacht in 2024.
It has already been a momentous week for Heaney, the first Claremorris Colt to play for the Ireland U-18s. A student at Mount St. Michael, she received her Leaving Cert results today.
Meanwhile, Caitríona Finn and Alisha Flynn have been brought into the Munster side, as head coach Matt Brown makes two changes for the trip to Galway.
After getting 73 minutes under her belt - as a replacement in the first two rounds - on her return from injury, Finn will make her first start of the season, joining forces with Emily Lane at half-back.
Enya Breen switches to inside centre, with Lucia Linn and Alana McInerney both moving out one position, the latter linking up with fellow former Ennis players, Aoife Corey and Chisom Ugwueru, in the back-three.
Full-back Corey captained her province for the first time during last Saturday's 62-0 victory over Ulster, and continues to lead the team as Maeve Óg O'Leary misses out again through injury.
With Eilís Cahill also sidelined this week, Old Belvedere prop Flynn steps up for her first start at his level, packing down with regulars Beth Buttimer and Siobhán McCarthy.
Buttimer, who turned 21 on Tuesday, has enjoyed a blistering start to the season with six tries already. Behind her in the scrum will be Aoibhe O'Flynn and Jane Clohessy.
Clodagh O'Halloran will make her 30th senior appearance for Munster, as part of an unchanged back row unit that also features the strong-running Sally Kelly and Grace Moore.
Breen and O'Halloran are the only survivors from Munster's shock 20-17 semi-final loss to Connacht in 2019. Current Connacht defence coach Fiona Hayes was on the Reds' bench that day.
Brown's bench options for tomorrow's game include three potential debutants - Ballincollig forwards Ella Buckley and Niamh O'Mahony, and Clonakilty's Caoimhe Murphy, an Energia All-Ireland League winner with UL Bohemian last season.
CONNACHT: Clara Barrett; Clare Gorman, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Emily Foley; Méabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Uillin Eilian, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Jess Keating, Éabha O'Mahony, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Sarah Purcell, Aoife Heaney, Hannah Johnston, Síofra Hession.
MUNSTER: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhán McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Alisha Flynn, Aoibhe O'Flynn, Jane Clohessy, Clodagh O'Halloran, Sally Kelly, Grace Moore.
Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Ella Buckley, Niamh O'Mahony, Ava O'Malley, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Kate Flannery, Katie Corrigan.
Referee: Alana Kerr (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Eoin Staunton, Michael Honan (both IRFU)
