Irish Interpros to kick off

The competition involves the four Irish provinces and usually includes all of the top players in the country

However given the recent end of the World Cup, most of Ireland's players are absent, at least for the start of the tournament, with many new faces given a chance to shine.

Connachttake on Leinster on Saturday at Galwegians RFC. While recent results favour the visitors, little separated the two in last week's pre-season clash. The only gaps of any consequence to captain Ruth O'Reilly this week are those she and her colleagues will seek to exploit.

"This is a mobile squad. We have a gameplan to suit that mobility, and we've seen glimpses of it against Ulster and Leinster in the past few weeks," said O'Reilly."We're all confident we can up the ante further and there's no more worthy an occasion than an interpro opener at home."Forwards coach George Naoupu, a Super Rugby graduate from rugby stronghold Christchurch, has plied his trade to full effect over two stints with Connacht. Charged with steering the Galwegians Women last winter, he and 12 of this year's Interpro squad enjoyed All-Ireland Cup success in 2014."It's a big jump up in standard from club to rep rugby but it's great so many of this squad have tasted national success. You don't win All-Ireland medals by accident and all those involved know what it took to get there," explained Naoupu."They know they've a few fairly serious weeks ahead but they also know how to build a successful result from 80 short minutes of good footy. You do it in the first minute, and you do it through to the last."

Leinster details TBCTheUlsterteam - sponsored by the Errigle Inn - to play Munster in Saturday's first interprovincial game includes a number of newcomers to this level.Head coach Jonathan Gillespie has handed first competitive starts to talented Queen's University backs Peita McAlister and Emma Jordan, as well as Cooke flanker Hannah Kilgore and Exiles full-back Vicky Irwin.That inexperience is offset by the inclusion of the experienced Ilse van Staden, Sorcha Chipperfield and captain Nikita Armstrong.In addition, there are six new faces on the bench in the form of Shannon Heapes, Sabrina Higgins, Stacey Sloan, Steffi Clarke, Laura Johnston and Rebecca Smyth.Speaking ahead of the round 1 clash, Gillespie said: "Everyone involved is really looking forward to the series and particularly the opening game against Munster - it will be a great marker to see where we are at."It's exciting to see new players involved and that is testament to the great work carried out by Ulster Rugby's Female Rugby Officers, as well as the many coaches and volunteers in our clubs and schools. I'd like to thank everyone for their support so far and I'm sure that will continue throughout the Interpros."ForMunster,players from Highfield and UL Bohemians make up the bulk of the youthful squad, sponsored byKeanes Jewellers, with a number of the province's Irish internationals not included after an exhausting World Cup in France.Head Coach Falvey took the reins in June and he's been happy with the standard set in training over the last number of weeks."There is a young squad there and they're in there because they're the best players and they've trained very well over the last few weeks," said Falvey."And hopefully now they can take their chance in the red jersey."Only two of the girls from the international set-up are after coming back - Fiona Hayes and Laura Guest, who captains the side. The rest are ruled out after so much involvement at the World Cup."There's definitely young talent coming through and there's a great opportunity now for them to stake their claim."There is big potential in the squad for the next generation of international players so this is their opportunity to show what they're made of."It's a difficult task going up to Ulster for the first game but if we can play the way we're training at the moment the result will follow and hopefully that will have a knock-on effect for the following weekend against Leinster and we can start off on a strong note," Falvey added.Munster15. Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemian RFC)14. Debhile Nic A Bhaird (Highfield RFC) 13. Ger Rea (Highfield RFC) 12. Nicola Scully (Highfield RFC) 11. Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemian RFC)10. Laura O'Mahony (Tralee RFC) 9. Mona Fehily (Highfield RFC)1. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian RFC)2. Amy Desmond (Highfield RFC) 3. Leah Lyons (Fermoy RFC) 4. Gerda Coyne (Highfield RFC) 5. Elaine Anthony (Highfield RFC) 6. Roisin Ormond (Highfield RFC) 7. Ciara Griffin (Tralee RFC) 8. Laura Guest (Capt.) (Highfield RFC)Replacements16. Kate Sheehan (UL Bohemian RFC) 17. Maura Collins (Abbeyfeale RFC) 18. Leah Barbour (UL Bohemian RFC) 19. Maeve Darcy (UL Bohemian RFC) 20. Marie Eviston (UL Bohemian RFC) 21. Ayesha Roche (Tralee RFC) 22. Mollie O'Donnell (UL Bohemian RFC)23. Michelle Barry (Tralee RFC)ULSTERVicky Irwin (Ormskirk); Emma Jordan (Queen's University), Pieta McAlister (Queen's University), Claire McLaughlin (Queen's University), Zoe Templeton (Queen's University); Jemma Jackson (Queen's University), Imogen Porter (Queen's University); Ilse van Staden (Belfast Harlequins), Lesley Megarity (Belfast Harlequins), Nikita Armstrong (Cooke) (capt), Sorcha Chipperfield (Cooke), Lizzie Ballentine (Cooke), Shirelle Wilson (Cooke), Hannah Kilgore (Cooke), Lauren Maginnes (Queen's University).Replacements:Shannon Heapes (Finn Valley), Janine Mullan (Queen's University), Sabrina Higgins (Carrick), Laura Johnston (Cooke), Rebecca Smyth (Belfast Harlequins), Noreen Nethercot (Enniskillen), Steffi Clarke (Queen's University), Stacey Sloan (City Of Derry).

CONNACHTEmer O'Mahony (Tralee); Niamh Ni Dhroma (Buccaneers), Emma Clery (Galwegians), Lisa McDonagh (Galwegians), Jill Draper (Tullamore); Nicole Fowley (Sligo), Mary Healy (Galwegians); Laura Feely (Galwegians), Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians), Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians) (capt), Rita Breen (NUIG), Marion Sheridan (Tuam/Galwegians), Grainne Egan (St. Mary's), Heather Cary (Galwegians), Christine Arthurs (Tralee).

Replacements:Jean Moore (Portlaoise), Edel Durkin (Tuam), Edel McMahon (NUIG/Galwegians), Darwyn O'Halloran (Castlebar), Catriona Cassidy (Portlaoise), Rhona Julian (NUIG), Jacqui Mulligan (Sligo).LEINSTER WOMEN: tbc