Brown makes two changes to Munster side for Connacht clash

Munster's Caitríona Finn takes a conversion kick. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Munster head coach Matt Brown has made just two personnel changes to his starting team for Saturday’s women’s interprovincial tie against Connacht, despite the fact that his side is already through to the following week’s decider.

Assistant coach Niamh Briggs had spoken during the week about the need to balance continued momentum with some element of freshness, and they have leaned towards the former for the first of two successive trips to Galway.

Alisha Flynn will make a first start for the seniors at tighthead where she replaces Eilis Cahill. Caitriona Finn makes a first start of the campaign at out-half with Enya Breen slipping sideways to line out at inside-centre.

Katie Corrigan drops to the bench with Lucia Linn partnering Breen at centre and Chisom Ugwueru and Alana McInerney occupying the wings. It’s a strong side backing up those that accounted for Leinster 39-19 and Ulster 62-0.

There is still no place for captain Maeve Og O’Leary who has yet to feature due to injury.

The changes are, in fact, the first made to the XV in these interpros, but Brown has looked beyond the final by opting to name three rookies - Ballincollig’s Ella Buckley and Niamh O’Mahony, and Clonakilty’s Caoimhe Murphy - on the bench.

"We were very disappointed last weekend as there was a genuine belief within the group that we could get the win,” said Hansberry.

“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'll be a big crowd to come out and support them."

Kick-off at the Dexcom Stadium is at 4.15pm.

Connacht will know the lay of the land as regards any final ambitions of their own long before that first-half is done as Leinster will be looking for a win against Ulster at Affidea Stadium (2.30) that would clinch their place in the final.

That’s highly likely to happen, even with head coach Sana Govender making eight changes to their side for the tie in Belfast. Among the changes are firsts starts of the campaign for Katie Whelan and Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton at nine and ten respectively.

They will plug into a highly-experienced backline replete with Test players and the pack can boast a similar pedigree.

Murray Houston has made five personnel changes and three positional switches to the hosts’ side as they try to salvage a first win of the campaign. One has been forced by the loss to injury of captain India Daley. Test player Claire Boles assumes the armband at No.8.

Munster (v Connacht): A Corey; A McInerney, L Linn, E Breen, C Ugwueru; C Finn, E Lane; S McCarthy, B Buttimer, A Flynn; A O’Flynn, J Clohessy, C O’Halloran; S Kelly, G Moore.

Connacht (v Munster): C Barrett; C Gorman, A McGann, L Clarke, E Foley; M Deely, A Reilly; E Burns, E Eilian, L Morris; F Oviawe, P Garvey; E Kelly, A Quinn, J Adams Verling.

Leinster (v Ulster): S Flood; R O’Connor, A Dalton, E Higgins, V Elmes Kinlan; E O’Sullivan, K Whelan; C Molloy, S Delaney, L Djougang; R Campbell, A Atagamen; R Casey, LK Baker, E King.

Ulster (v Leinster): N Marley; C Crowe, L Irwin, S Sheerin, L Thompson; E Durkan, R McIlroy; S McGrath, M Clenaghan, S Barrett; F Tuite-O’Sullivan, O McKinney; M Hill, R Beacom, C Boles.