FOUR Ulster players feature in the Wolfhounds and Clovers squads for a fantastic double header of Celtic Challenge action at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Saturday as the Clovers face off against Gwalia Lightning and the Wolfhounds take on Glasgow Warriors.
Claire Boles again captains a Wolfhounds side that also includes Maebh Clenaghan with Sadhbh McGrath in the Clovers starting line-up and Sophie Barrett among the replacements.
After their loss to the Clovers in Round 2, the Wolfhounds will be eager to bounce back with a strong performance against Glasgow Warriors.
The side will look to their experienced players to lead by example and drive them back to winning ways.
Head Coach Neil Alcorn has made a number of changes to the startling line up with Katie Corrigan, a standout player from last year’s tournament, starting at 14 and Erin McConnell getting her chance to impress at 9.
After some impressive displays off the bench, lock Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair gets her opportunity to make her mark from the start.
The Glasgow Warriors enter this third round having only played one game so far, a 63-15 loss to Edinburgh Rugby.
Both matches will be live on irishrugby+
Wolfhounds squad to play Glasgow Warriors at 2.30pm on Saturday Jan 4
15. Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
14. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere/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. Erin McConnell (Wicklow/Leinster)
1. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
2. Maebh Clenaghan (Queens/Cooke/Ulster)
3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan/Leinster)
5. Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair (Blackrock College/Leinster)
6. Molly Boyne (Railway Union/Leinster)
7. Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster) Captain
8. Erin King (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Replacements
16. Kelly Burke (Mullingar/Leinster)
17. Tricia Doyle (Railway Union/Leinster)
18. Caoimhe Molloy (Wicklow/Leinster)
19. Christy Haney (Blackrock College/Leinster)
20. Ciara Short (Wicklow/Leinster)
21. Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
22. Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow/Leinster)
23. Megan Burns (Blackrock College/Leinster)
The Clovers’ impressive performance against Wolfhounds last week, including a standout display from hooker Beth Buttimer, saw them secure a bonus point 31-10 win that evened the score with the Wolfhounds after their earlier defeat.
This week, they will face Gwalia Lightning, who have shown great promise this season, winning both their derby games over Brython Thunder and will challenge the Clovers’ newfound momentum. With the Welsh side eager to prove themselves, fans can expect a contest that promises plenty of speed, power, and skill.
Head Coach Denis Fogarty has made one change to last weeks starting XV with Anna McGann coming in to partner Enya Breen in the centre. McGann was sidelined last year with injury and made her return to competitive action in the HSBC SVNS Series Grand Final in Madrid in May.
Clovers squad to face Gwalia Lightning in Kingspan Stadium at 11.30am on January 4
15. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College/Connacht)
14. Alanna McInerney (UL Bohemian/Munster)
13. Anna McGann (Railway Union/province?)
12. Enya Breen (Blackrock College/Munster) Captain
11. Hannah Clarke (Galwegians/Connacht)
10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9. Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster)
1. Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union/Munster)
2. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian/Munster)
3. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke/Ulster)
4. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Jane Neill (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)
7. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere/Munster)
8. Ivana Kiripati (Creggs/Connacht)
Replacements
16. Emily Gavin (Railway Union/Connacht)
17. Grainne Burke (UL Bohemian/Munster)
18. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen/Railway Union/Ulster)
19. Faith Oviawe (Railway Union/Connacht)
20. Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs/Connacht)
21. Grainne Moran (Galwegians/Connacht)
22. Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian/Munster)
23. Amee Leigh Costigan (Railway Union/Munster)
