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Connacht Rugby U18 Girl's head coach Claire Coghlan has named her match day squad for tomorrow’s PwC U18 Interprovincial Championship opener against Ulster at Malone RFC (k/o 2.30pm)
Captain Kitty Sweeney will lead out the side at scrum-half, which has a blend of youth and experience across the starting XV. 10 clubs are represented across the match day 23.
Buccaneers' Sally Fleming is named at out-half with Westport's Ruth Conway and Ballinasloe's Esther Albert paired together at centre. The back three is formed by Niamh Gannon (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) and Elsie Yewlett (Sligo Rugby) on the wings with Leah McNamara (Westport RFC) in at full back.
In the pack, it's Orla Palasz (Westport RFC), Rhea Sestak (Loughrea RFC) and Isabella Garvey (Sligo Rugby) in the back row. Anna Murphy (Castlebar RFC) is named in the second row alongside Aoibhinn Lyons (Westport RFC), while the front row consists of hooker Millie Ager (Claremorris Colts RFC) and props Róise Ní Scanláin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) and Cairínn Kearns (Gort/Monivea RFC).
Looking ahead to tomorrow's Interpro, head coach Claire Coghlan says:
"The girls have worked really hard for the last 6 or 7 weeks over the Summer sessions. We have a young squad with a lot of talent so we're really looking forward to showing what we have over the next four games. They're a really tight-knit group and they've really gelled well this year so hopefully that will serve us well going into the games.
Ulster first up is going to be tough away from home - they're always a really strong side to play against so we're taking nothing for granted and are just really looking forward to the game."
Ulster U18 Girls v Connacht U18 Girls
Saturday 8th August, 14:30 @ Malone RFC
15. Leah McNamara (Westport RFC)
14. Elsie Yewlett (Sligo Rugby)
13. Esther Albert (Ballinasloe RFC)
12. Ruth Conway (Westport RFC)
11. Niamh Gannon (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
10. Sally Fleming (Buccaneers RFC)
9. Kitty Sweeney (Westport RFC) Captain
1. Róise Ní Scanláin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)
2. Millie Ager (Claremorris Colts RFC)
3. Cairínn Kearns (Gort/Monivea RFC)
4. Anna Murphy (Castlebar RFC)
5. Aoibhinn Lyons (Westport RFC)
6. Orla Palasz (Westport RFC)
7. Rhea Sestak (Loughrea RFC)
8. Isabella Garvey (Sligo Rugby)
16. Losalia Atonio (Tuam/Ougherard RFC)
17. Amy Moran (Loughrea RFC)
18. Kate Madden (Creggs RFC)
19. Cora Heneghan (Buccaneers RFC)
20. Poppy Tunney Ware (Westport RFC)
21. Rose Fleming (Buccaneers RFC)
22. Chloe O'Connor (Buccaneers RFC)
23. Anna Cooley (Gort/Monivea RFC)
