Combined provinces head coach Greg McWilliams has rung the changes for their second game of the Celtic Challenge against the Thistles in Kingspan Stadium tomorrow.
Once again there are two Connacht players involved with Kayla Waldron of Galwegians coming into the squad and Clara Barrett named to start on the wing after being named on the replacements in last weekend’s win over Wales Development.
Hannah O’Connor once again captains the side, with Dannah O’Brien named co-captain for the visit of the Scottish side to Belfast.
McWilliams has rotated his resources for Round 2 of the tournament, with the starting XV showing six changes from last weekend. The inaugural Celtic Challenge competition is providing the National Coaching Team with an extended window to expose young players to cross-border competition, as preparations continue for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland internationals Leah Tarpey, Molly Scuffil McCabe and Linda Djougang are among those who come into the team for Saturday.
Combined Provinces XV (v The Thistles, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday, February 4th, 4.30pm)
15. Ella Durkan (Ulster/Blackrock College RFC)
14. Clara Barrett (Connacht/UL Bohemians RFC)
13. Leah Tarpey (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)
12. Aoife Dalton (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
11. Ella Roberts (Leinster/Wicklow RFC)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
9. Molly Scuffil McCabe (Leinster/Railway Union)
1. Niamh O’Dowd (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
2. Emma Hooban (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)
3. Linda Djougang (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
4. Claire Bennett (Munster/UL Bohemians RFC)
5. Fiona Tuite (Ulster/Old Belvedere RFC)
6. Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (Munster/Old Belvedere RFC)
7. Maeve Og O’Leary (Munster/Blackrock College RFC)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC) (captain)
Replacements:
16. Jess Keating (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
17. Mary Healy (Leinster/Naas RFC/Suttonians RFC)
18. Megan Collis (Leinster/Railway Union RFC)
19. Eimear Corri (Leinster/Blackrock College RFC)
20. Sophie Barrett (Ulster/Enniskillen RFC)
21. Katie Whelan (Leinster/Old Belvedere RFC)
22. Kayla Waldron (Connacht/Galwegians RFC)
23. Maeve Liston (Ulster/Blackrock College RFC).
