FIVE Ulster players are in the starting line-ups as Virgin Media Park in Cork stages a Celtic Challenge rugby double header on Sunday as the Wolfhounds welcome Welsh side Gwalia Lightning for a 12.30pm kick off and the Clovers host Glasgow Warriors at 3.30pm.
Captain Claire Boles, Maebh Clenagahan, Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan are in the Wolfhounds line-up while Sophie Barrett continues for the Clovers
The Wolfhounds, who currently sit top of the table, are up against second placed Gwalia Lightning, whose only loss so far in the competition has come against the Clovers in round three.
Head Coach Neill Alcorn has made several changes to the starting XV with Irish internationals Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan making their first starts in the competition, having both come off the bench last week. They’re joined in the pack by fellow international Christy Haney at prop.
In the backline Ella Roberts moves to full back, Vicky Elmes-Kinlan comes in at 14 with Aoife Dalton reclaiming the number 13 shirt and Katie Whelan starting at 9.
Tickets for double header are available from ticketmaster.ie
Both games will be shown live on IrishRugby+ and on the TG4 Player
Wolfhounds squad to face Gwalia
15. Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
14. Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow/Leinster)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12. Eve Higgins (Railway Union)
11. Amy Larn (Athy/Leinster)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
1. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
2. Maebh Clenaghan (Queens/Cooke/Ulster)
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock/Leinster)
4. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
5. Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair (Blackrock College/Leinster)
6. Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster) Captain
7. Erin King (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
Replacements
16. Kelly Burke (Mullingar/Leinster)
17. Tricia Doyle (Railway Union/Leinster)
18. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
19. Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan/Leinster)
20. Molly Boyne (Railway Union/Leinster)
21. Erin McConnell (Wicklow/Leinster)
22. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
23. Anna Doyle (Blackrock/Leinster)
Clovers squad to face Glasgow
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock/Connacht)
14. Amee Leigh Costigan (Railway Union/Munster)
13. Anna McGann (Railway Union)
12. Enya Breen (Blackrock/Munster) Captain
11. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian/Munster)
10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9. Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster)
1. Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union/Munster)
2. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian/Munster)
3. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen/Railway Union/Ulster)
4. Jane Neill (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian/Munster)
6. Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian/Munster)
7. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere/Munster)
8. Shirley Bailey (Ballincollig)
Replacements
16. Emily Gavin (Railway Union/Connacht)
17. Grainne Burke (UL Bohemian/Munster)
18. Saoirse Crowe (Shannon RFC/Munster)
19. Aoibhe O’Flynn (UL Bohemians/Munster)
20. Grace Brown Moran (Galwegians/Connacht)
21. Grainne Moran (Galwegians/Connacht)
22. Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemians/Munster)
23. Aoife Corey (UL Bohemians/Munster)
