Mayo rugby star set for Connacht start

Grainne Moran retains her starting spot as Connacht Women head coach Emer O’Dowd named her starting XV for tomorrow’s (Saturday) Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship meeting with Ulster in Belfast.

Connacht may have been well-beaten in their opener against defending champions Leinster but young scrum-half Moran, of Ballina RFC, impressed on her debut. 

will be hoping for their first win tomorrow before they welcome Munster to Dexcom Stadium next weekend.

O'Dowd has made four changes to the side, with a new second row pairing of Karly Tierney and Grace Browne Moran, while Faith Oviawe is promoted to the back row after her two tries off the bench last weekend against Leinster. The final change sees Orla Dixon come in at outside centre.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm in the Kingspan Stadium.

CONNACHT WOMEN MATCHDAY 23: 

15. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC) 

14. Clara Barrett (UL Bohemians RFC) 

13. Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC) 

12. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemians RFC) 

11. Laoise McGonagle (UL Bohemians RFC) 

10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC) (Co-Captain) 

9. Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC) 

1. Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) 

2. Lily Brady (UL Bohemians RFC) 

3. Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC) 

4. Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC) 

5. Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC) 

6. Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC) 

7. Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam.Oughterard RFC) 

8. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore RFC) (Co-Captain) 

16. Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC) 

17. Hope Lowney (MU Barnhall) 

18. Roisín Maher (Galwegians RFC) 

19. Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC) 

20. Rosie Searle (Navan RFC) 

21. May Goulding (Saracens) 

22. Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC) 

23. Hannah Clarke (Tuam Oughterard RFC / Galwegians RFC)