Emer O'Dowd looking forward to interpro opener

Saturday is the opening round of the Vodafone Interprovincial Championship as Connacht travel to Energia Park to take on Leinster. Kick off in Dublin is 4.45pm.

Speaking ahead of the game was Connacht Head Coach, Emer O'Dowd

"There's a lot of nervous excitment coming into round one"

"We're coming up against the defending champions and as huge underdogs"

"Underdogs or not though we're here to compete, we aren't just here to make up the numbers"

Last season Connacht beat Leinster 18-17 at Dexcom Stadium and know Leinster will be wanting to make sure that doesn't happen again.

"We beat them 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 excitied about this challenge and they are expecting a reaction from Leinster after what happened last season"

Emer takes over a young Connacht squad with a lot of players coming through from the succesful underage teams over the past few season.

The squad still has plenty of experience to call upon with the likes of Nicole Folwey, Shannon Touhey and Edel McMahon.

"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.

"There's no fear in these women that are stepping up to senior level, they just want to go out and play"

The squad have got together Tuesday and Thursday this week ahead of the game.

"Training has been really good in the lead up"

"We have thrown a lot of detail at them"

"There's a lot of new players and new coaches this season from what was there last season"

"Everyone is bouncing and just raring to go"

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