Teams Selected For Celtic Challenge Third Round Ties

Head coaches Neill Alcorn and Denis Fogarty have announced their teams for the third round of the Celtic Challenge, as their respective Wolfhounds and Clovers sides look to continue on the winning trail this weekend.

Both Irish teams were victorious last Saturday afternoon, with the Wolfhound running five tries past Edinburgh Rugby at the Hive Stadium, and the Clovers followed up by opening their win account at Energia Park against Brython Thunder.

It is back-to-back trips to Scotland for Alcorn’s Wolfhounds squad this Saturday, as they travel to Scotstoun Stadium to take on Glasgow Warriors (kick off 2.30pm – live on RugbyPass TV).

There are five personnel changes this week with Katie Corrigan and Molly Boyne, who captains the team, both given their Wolfhounds debuts. Corrigan’s Old Belvedere club-mate, Éadaoin Murtagh, also makes her first start at blindside flanker.

Hannah O’Connor, the skipper for the opening two rounds, shifts into the second row where she combines with Ulster’s Keelin Brady. Boyne and Murtagh join Brittany Hogan, one of last week’s try scorers, in a rejigged back row.

Teenager Corrigan, a dual Ireland Under-18 international last season, and Armagh native Niamh Marley will feature on either wing. There are a number of new faces on the bench too, with Christy Haney, Claire Boles, Jade Gaffney, Kelly McCormill, and Ava Ryder all included.

Hoping to finish this first block of matches on a high, Wolfhounds head coach Alcorn said:

We were delighted with another win last weekend against a very strong Edinburgh side and happy with the team performance, but we still have areas we need to keep improving on.

“We had a good training week and made some changes to the squad which creates opportunities for players. We’re excited to get on the road again to take on Glasgow Warriors for another exciting game.”

Meanwhile, at Virgin Media Park (formerly Musgrave Park), the Clovers will be looking to make home advantage count against Welsh table toppers Gwalia Lightning on Sunday (kick-off 1pm – live on RugbyPass TV). Show your support for the Clovers and purchase tickets here for the Cork clash.

Head coach Fogarty has made four changes in personnel, including handing first Clovers starts to the UL Bohemians half-back pairing of Kate Flannery and Abbie Salter-Townshend.

Flannery’s inclusion sees Connacht’s Méabh Deely revert to the full-back, and there is a new centre partnership between Alana McInerney, who moves off the right wing, and Kayla Waldron.

Mayo native Clara Barrett, a try scorer in the opening round against the Wolfhounds, steps up for her first start of this season’s tournament, joining Deely and Clare Gorman in the back-three.

Dorothy Wall returns to the second row as captain, reuniting with Ruth Campbell in the hosts’ engine room, and experienced Ireland international Aoife Doyle is back from injury to take her place on the bench.

Also brought into the replacements this week are Ballincollig’s teenage hooker Aoife Fleming, Jane Clohessy, daughter of former Munster and Ireland prop Peter Clohessy, and Muirne Wall, another Munster regular.

Keen to build on last week’s result, Fogarty commented:

We were delighted to get our first win in the competition last weekend and will be aiming to do the same once again this Sunday in Musgrave Park.

“We’ve had another competitive training week, and competition for places in this squad has been high. Tat is where we want to be. It’s exciting to see all these young players performing each week and earning their places.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Musgrave Park and seeing another good team performance as we take on the challenge of Gwalia Lightning, who are currently sitting top of the table.”