Considine and Cronin return to Munster squad for Connacht clash

COMEBACK: Eimear Considine during Munster training at UL on Thursday. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Ireland internationals Eimear Considine and and Nicole Cronin have both returned to the Munster matchday squad for Saturday's clash with Connacht in Galway (kick off 2:30pm). Both players had been unavailable due to injuries

Munster are aiming to make it three wins from three games in the Interprovincial Series after victories over Ulster and Leinster. 

There is just one change to the Munster starting team with Lucia Linn coming in at centre for her first start in place of Enya Breen. With Breen rule out due to injury, Stephanie Nunn moves to outside centre while Linn will play inside. 

Munster head coach Fiona Hayes revealed this week that back row Deirbhile Nic a Bháird will not be available during the series.

"Derv's he's not going to be involved," said Hayes.

"I'm not too sure but just a bit too soon for her. I think it's just bang on the exact amount of time for that ACL.

"They don't want to push her straight into that kind of high intense match kind of situation which I completely understand."

The top two in the table - currently Munster and Leinster - will play off for the title on August 31 at Ravenhill. Leinster and Ulster play at 4:45pm on Saturday in the weekend's other game. 

Munster: 15. Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC); 14. Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC), 13. Lucia Linn (Loughborough Lightning), 12. Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC), 11. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC); 10.Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC), 9. Muirne Wall (UL Bohemian RFC); 8. Siobhan McCarthy (Gloucester-Hartpury), 7. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC), 6. Éilis Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC); 5. Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs) 4. Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC); 3. Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), 2. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC), 1. Chloe Pearse (C) (UL Bohemian RFC).

Replacements: 16. Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC), 17. Ciara O’Dwyer (UL Bohemian RFC), 18. Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC), 19. Aoibhe O’ Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC), 20. Annakate Cournane (Shannon RFC), 21. Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC), 22. Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC), 23. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC).

Connacht:  15. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC) 14. Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC) (Vice-Captain) 13. Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC) 12. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemians RFC) 11. Laoise McGonagle (UL Bohemians RFC) 10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC) (Co-Captain) 9. Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC) 1. Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) 2. Lily Brady (UL Bohemians RFC) 3. Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC) 4. Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) 5. Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC) 6. Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC) 7. Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) 8. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore RFC) (Co-Captain) 

Replacements: 16. Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC) 17. Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC) 18. Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC) 19. Poppy Garvey (Sligo Rugby) 20. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs) 21. May Goulding (Saracens) 22. Sarah Purcell (Creggs RFC) 23. Hannah Clarke (Tuam Oughterard RFC/Galwegians RFC)