'I see the talent' - Hayes believes more Munster players should be centrally contracted
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Munster head coach Fiona Hayes believes the ability exists in the province for there to be more players centrally contracted by the IRFU.
Ellen Boylan, Enya Breen and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird were the Munster XVs players confirmed on Tuesday as recipients of deals while sevens players Emily Lane and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe were also awarded contracts.
"I obviously coach these girls. I see the talent there. I'm watching them week in, week out, reviewing all those AIL games and looking at the people they're up against," Hayes said during a press conference on Wednesday.
"So 100%, from my perspective, I would like to see Munster players in there. But, you know, we're constantly pushing. We're pushing for those standards.
"From our perspective, we've just got to keep working our socks off down in Munster. And hopefully, someday, we'll be having a chat about having too many Munster players on that squad."
Munster defeated Connacht at the weekend, making it three wins from three games in the Women's Interprovincial Series round robin. It sets up this Saturday's final at Ravenhill against Leinster, the team which defeated them last year as they aimed to win three consecutive titles.
For Dorothy Wall, it will her last for Munster, at least until her deal with Exeter Chiefs runs out. It was announced in June that the Tipperary native will be joining the English side.
"It's a huge season for these players, especially Doro," said Hayes.
"She's been such a servant to the Munster jersey. I suppose against Leinster in particular two weeks ago, I thought she was absolutely outstanding in terms of physicality and what she brought to the game.
"It's just her presence, her character about the place. And as I said, she lives, breathes Munster. So to be able to win an interpro and send her off in style is obviously something we want to do.
"There could be a couple, I suppose you don't know for definite, but I'd imagine there could be a couple retiring maybe after this as well."
Hayes said last week that in her first season as Munster head coach, making that final matchday selection has been her biggest headache. As she heads in to the biggest game of the season, she will have her greatest selection dilemmas but some headaches are positive.
Last weekend, Eimear Considine and Nicole Cronin both returned from injuries to make appearances off the bench while it looks like Enya Breen - who missed the game in Galway - should also be available.
"We should be good to go with Enya," said Hayes.
"On all other fronts, I think everyone else is fit and healthy to go. So it's just a case of getting Enya back into that matchday squad, hopefully."