'They've got two nights to put the hand up': Munster women's fly-half role up for grabs

UP FOR GRABS: Munster’s preparations for the latest step in their Women’s Interprovincial Championship title defence look set to be focused around who starts at fly-half. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Munster’s preparations for the latest step in their Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship title defence this Saturday look set to be focused around who starts at fly-half.

Ireland centre Enya Breen was handed the number 10 jersey for Munster’s opening 39-19 victory over Leinster last Saturday but limped off in the second half with an ankle injury.

Playing behind a dominant pack, Breen and half-back partner Emily Lane enjoyed something of an armchair ride in Cork but the fly-half’s touchline kicking was instrumental in delivering the platform for her forwards to exert their influence on the game, with five of Munster’s seven tries coming from front-rowers Beth Buttimer (four) and Eilis Cahill.

The only disappointment was Breen’s goal-kicking, failing to add points from all four of her try conversions, including her final attempt when she was already struggling on her injured ankle.

She was replaced by Caitríona Finn on 46 minutes with the run-on fly-half slotting two of her three conversion attempts and staking her claim for a start at 10 in this Saturday’s round-two clash with Ulster at Virgin Media Park.

Head coach Matt Brown also has Finn’s UL Bohemian club-mate Kate Flannery, who was not in last Saturday’s matchday squad, among his options and he referenced all three being in the mix for this weekend’s championship fixture.

“Enya's carrying a bit of an ankle, and we didn't want to risk it because obviously we've also got Caitríona Finn on the bench who's playing a lot of good rugby and coming back from injury.

“We've also got Kate Flannery in the squad, so there's no point flogging anybody. We need everybody fresh next week and we need to train well and go again, really.”

Explaining his selection decision for the opening game, Brown said: “We've had Enya and Kate both training, two really good players. And Enya probably just shaded it from our warm-up game against Connacht.

“Kate was very unlucky, but also with Caitríona coming back down from Ireland, they were keen that she got some game time.

“There were some tough conversations, but that was the story this week, and that could well change for next week. They've got two nights to put the hand up and we'll see where they go from there. But obviously Caitríona delivered very well for us last year as well, if you remember.

“So there were no concerns with her being on the bench, but she's a talented player. You saw the kicking game she brought to it today as well, she's very strong. So we're probably blessed in that position, I think, to have the three of them, but it doesn't make my job easier when it comes to selection for next week.”

The Munster head coach was understandably satisfied with his side’s opening victory while demanding better accuracy for the rest of the campaign. He warned there was no margin for error in the southern province’s bid to reach the first v second play-off final at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium on August 29.

“It's a very short window. You slip up once, you put yourself under pressure.

“We've got two more tough ones now coming up, and then, please God, we're in the one v two final. But again, if we don't stay at the top of it, then it's all up for grabs. So, look, we did the best we could.

“I think perhaps denying Leinster a bonus point was important too. We didn't want to concede again because they are really dangerous. And I thought a couple of times they had numbers on us and we worked really hard to shut them down.

“So, look, I'm happy with that part of it.”