Clovers and Wolfhounds name teams for Celtic Challenge

Enya Breen will captain the Clovers while Claire Boles captains the Wolfhounds.
Clovers and Wolfhounds name teams for Celtic Challenge

Will Celtic The Clovers Captain Daly/sportsfile Against Pciture: Captain: The The Challenge Seb Enya Breen In Wolfhounds

The Celtic Challenge kicks off this weekend with the Clovers taking on reigning champions the Wolfhounds at Energia Park on Sunday December 22 (4pm).

The first ot two clashes between the Irish sides in the tournament with the second round taking place at UCD on December 28.

Clovers Head Coach Denis Fogarty has named Munster and Ireland star Enya Breen as the team captain. Breen is partnered in centre by Ellen Boylan with Emily Lane starting at scrum half and Nicole Fowley at flyhalf. 

Meabh Deeley is named at fullback with Chisom Ugwueru and Hannah Clarke on the wings. 

Siobhán McCarthy, Beth Buttimer and Sophie Barrett start in the front row with Jane Neill and Ruth Campbell in the second row. 

Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and Ivana Kiripati completing the back row.

Experienced internationals Edel McMahon and Amee Leigh Costigan are named among the replacements.

Fogarty is looking forward to the challenge against the Wolfhounds. 

“This is a huge year for Women’s rugby with the Rugby World Cup in England. Before that we have the Six Nations and right now the Celtic Challenge. The players know the challenge and the opportunity that lies ahead, and they’ve been working incredibly hard.

“I’ve seen first-hand the growth and development of these players over the last year. Add to that some really exciting young talent coming through the age grade sides and we’re really looking forward to kicking things off against the Wolfhounds on Sunday”.

Meanwhile, Wolfhounds Head Coach Neill Alcorn has named a side mixed with youth and experience. Niamh O'Dowd and Linda Djougang pack down either side of Ulster hooker Maebh Clenghan.

In the second row Alma Atagamen teams up with Poppy Garvey in the second row with World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Erin King is named at eight and joined by Molly Boyne and captain Claire Boles.

Katie Whelan and Dannah O'Brien make up the half-backs with Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton partnering in the centre.

Stacey Flood starts at fullback with Amy Larn and Vicky Elmes Kinlan completing the starting XV.

Alcorn is looking forward to get going this weekend. “We’re excited to get going this weekend. We may have won last year but it’s a clean slate as far as the players are concerned. Obviously, we want to build on what we did but there are new faces in the side who have an opportunity to impress in what promises to be a big year for the Women’s game.

"The recent performances by Ireland in the 150 match and the WXV1 have shown the talent that we have, and we’ve seen the emergence of some really promising young players coming through the U18s and U20s. We want to give them every opportunity to put their hands up for selection.”

CLOVERS: M Deely, H Clarke, E Boylan, E Breen, C Ugwueru, N Fowley, E Lane; S McCarthy, B Buttimer, S Barrett, J Neill, R Campbell, J Adams Verling, D Nic a Bháird, I Kiripati.

Replacements: S Crowe, G Burke, S McGrath, F Oviawe, E McMahon, G Moran, C Finn, A L Costigan.

WOLFHOUNDS: S Flood, V Elmes Kinlan, A Dalton, E Higgins, A Larn, D O'Brien, K Whelan; N O'Dowd, M Clenaghan, L Djougang, A Atagamen, P Garvey, M Byrne, C Boles, E King.

Replacements: K Burke, T Doyle, C Molloy, C Ni Chonchobhair, C Short, E McConnell, M Burns, K Corrigan.

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