Mayo woman keeps her place in Connacht team for Munster clash

Lyndon Jones has named his Connacht team to take on Munster tomorrow (Saturday) at Musgrave Park in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship (kick-off 3.15 p.m.).

Clara Barrett of Ballina RFC starts at outside centre as captain Nicole Fowley remains at out-half with an unchanged back three of Laoise McGonagle, Ava Ryder and Méabh Deely.

There are changes elsewhere – three in total – to the starting XV that beat Leinster last weekend at The Sportsground. Making her first interprovincial start is Faith Oviawe at second row, while Olivia Haverty starts for the first time in the championship playing at scrum half. The other change from last week see's Kayla Waldron start at inside centre, seeing Shannon Touhey move to the back row.

The front row remains the same, with Grainne O'Loughlin, Lily Brady and Shannon Heapes keeping their places. Sonia McDermott at second row, Orla Fenton and Karly Tierney complete the forward pack.

Connacht head coach Lyndon Jones said: “We were delighted with last weekend’s result and in particular the resilience the players showed throughout the game. We need to continue to improve this weekend to face a huge challenge against the champions in Cork.”

The Connacht Women's teams are sponsored by Genesys.

The starting team in full for tomorrow's game is as follows: Meabh Deely, Ava Ryder, Clara Barrett, Kayla Waldron, Laoise McGonagle, Nicole Fowley, Olivia Haverty; Grainne O'Loughlin, Lily Brady, Shannon Heapes, Sonia McDermott, Faith Oviawe, Orla Fenton, Karly Tierney, Shannon Touhey.

The replacements' bench features another Mayo player, Westport RFC's Niamh O'Grady, alongside Stacy Hanley, Dearbhla Canty, Mollie Starr, Ivana Kiripati, Maria Kelleher, Cliodhna O'Sullivan and Orla Dixon.