The third and final round of interprovincial rugby action kicks off this weekend, with Connacht taking on Munster and Ulster clashing with Leinster.
This week Alanna Cunnane was joined by former Irish international Hannah Tyrrell on Her Sport's Rugby Show in association with Energia, reviewing the monumental test that was between Munster and Leinster which concluded 26-17 in favour of the Niamh Briggs’ side as well as Ulster’s valiant but ultimately fruitless comeback versus Connacht with culminated in a 25-19 score-line.
They also discussed the engagement of Clodagh O'Halloran and Chloe Pearse on matchday at Musgrave Park, Irish rugby’s switch to different coloured shorts in order to alleviate period concerns and the problems still facing Irish seven’s players amid a hefty schedule.
Finally the pair previewed the final couplet of games to come this weekend, which failing a major upset at this point it appears “Munster are still the obvious favourites” according to Tyrrell.
Connacht vs Munster, Saturday at 1pm, the Sportsground
“Having said that though Connacht are coming off a big win, they’re first in a couple of years and are at home. The Sportsground can be a tough place to go in the swirling wind and depending on conditions but unless Munster partied and celebrated a little bit too hard last weekend I think they should comfortably get the victory this weekend” the current Dublin LGFA player said.
Ulster vs Leinster, Saturday at 5:30pm, Queen’s University sports ground
“Looking on paper it is a tough ask for Ulster but `I suppose while both teams lost last weekend they’re probably the happier team coming out of it where as Leinster will be… I’m sure Tania Rosser will find it quite tough to pick up her players this weekend knowing that more than likely the interpro title is gone” she continued.
“They would have really geared themselves up for that Munster clash where as now they might be thinking ugh, we’ve another game to play and we can’t even win. So this could be an opportunity for Ulster but I don’t think the Leinster players are going to be like that. I do think they’re going to want to come out and prove a point that they’re a good team and they can fix a couple of mistakes.
“I do think they’ll get the win but it’s a tough one” Tyrrell concluded.
With the upcoming Six Nations fast approaching however, contention for the squad will still be a major motivating factor for performance.
“We might see Tania Rosser switch it up and see players who mightn’t have got a good amount of game time some minutes. While the interpro title may or may not be gone there’s still a chance there to get a green jersey and players know that every performance and every chance they’re given now they have to take it because the competition is really, really high” Tyrrell said.
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