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Connacht Women head coach Emer O’Dowd has named her matchday 23 for tomorrow’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship opener against Leinster in Dublin (k/o 4.45pm).
The side is co-captained by blindside flanker Shannon Touhey, and Nicole Fowley who starts at out-half.
The game is the first of two away ties, with the side making the trip to Ulster next weekend before the visit of Munster to Dexcom Stadium on Saturday 24th August. Tickets for that game are on sale at connachtrugby.ie.
Commenting ahead of the team announcement, Emer O’Dowd says:
"There's a lot of nervous excitement coming into round one. We beat Leinster last season and there's no way they will want that to happen again. There are a lot of young players in this squad and they are excited about this challenge and we are expecting a reaction from Leinster.
Trying to pick a match day squad is difficult for me as we're seeing this province grow with talent each year. The work being done at the clubs around the five counties needs to be mentioned. It is fantastic what they are doing and it comes down to great coaching and building a great environment for girls to shine.
Training has been really good in the lead up. We have thrown a lot of detail at them, and everyone is bouncing and just raring to go.”
CONNACHT WOMEN MATCHDAY 23 VS LEINSTER WOMEN
Energia Park, Saturday 10 August @ 16:45
15. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC)
14. Laoise McGonagle (UL Bohemians RFC)
13. Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC)
12. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemians RFC)
11. Clara Barrett (UL Bohemians RFC)
10. Nicole Fowley CC (Galwegians RFC)
9. Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC)
1. Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
2. Lily Brady (UL Bohemians RFC)
3. Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC)
4. Orla Fenton (Galwegians RFC)
5. Rosie Searle (Navan RFC)
6. Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam.Oughterard RFC)
7. Lesley Ring (Old Belvedere RFC)
8. Shannon Touhey CC (Tullamore RFC)
16. Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC)
17. Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC)
18. Roisín Maher (Galwegians RFC)
19. Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC)
20. Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
21. May Goulding (Saracens)
22. Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC)
23. Emily Foley (Ballina RFC)
