Fixtures
Connacht v Ulster, 2pm
Leinster v Munster, 4:30pm (both games at Energia Park)
TV
Watch both games on TG4 Sport’s YouTube channel.
Online
Match reports available post-game on RTÉ Sport Online and RTÉ News app.
Today sees the 2025 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championships draw to a close with a familiar 'finals day’ in Donnybrook.
The third-place play-off once again pits Connacht against Ulster, with Munster and Leinster battling it out for silverware.
At half-time of last week’s action, it looked like two major shocks were on the cards.
Connacht and Ulster took respective leads into the sheds, but it was opportunity lost, especially for final-chasing Connacht, which leaves us back in this familiar spot.
Energia Park is the venue for an eventful Saturday afternoon of rugby, with two fixtures that are likely to go down to the wire.
Munster v Leinster
It’s as you were in 2023 and 2024 with the age-old rivals doing battle in the standalone final yet again.
Leinster, now coached by Ben Martin, are looking to become three-in-a-row winners for the first time in the province’s history, but Munster will be hot favourites to spoil their hometown party.
Their recent matchups follow a quirky trend, with Munster winning the last five round-robin fixtures, but Leinster have come good in the finals.
Munster’s win this season came at Energia Park a fortnight ago, but they are dealing with some untimely injuries.
Try-scoring sensation Chisom Ugwueru and reliable inside centre Stephanie Nunan are both ruled out, which means the in-form Caitríona Finn moves to 12, with Kate Flannery starting at out-half.
There are four Irish internationals starting in the pack with Deirbhile Nic a Bháird at hooker, and a fearsome back row of Jane Clohessy, Maeve Óg O’Leary and Chloe Pearse.
Chasing glory on Saturday, Leinster are having to balance injuries and rotation for their final game.
Ireland international Vicky Elmes Kinlan, who scored a wonder try last time out, starts on the right wing again meaning Emma Brogan and Cara Martin start at full-back and left wing respectively.
Young star Jane Neill misses out due to injury in the pack so there’s a start for Rosie Searle at number 8 alongside captain Molly Boyne.
Clara Dunne is the sole debutant in the squad, who, if she comes on, will be Leinster’s 20th new cap in the competition.
Munster: Aoife Corey, Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Caitríona Finn, Lyndsay Clarke, Kate Flannery, Eve Prendergast; Ciara McLoughlin, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Eilís Cahill, Clodagh O’Halloran, Claire Bennett, Jane Clohessy, Maeve Óg O’Leary (capt), Chloe Pearse.
Replacements: Gráinne Burke, Emma Dunican, Brianna Heylmann, Lily Morris, Sally Kelly, Meghan Crilly, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Annakate Cournane.
Leinster: Emma Brogan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Kathy Baker, Cara Martin, Maggie Boylan, Nikki Caughey, Jade Gaffney; Aoife Moore, Kelley Burke, Katie Layde, Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair, Ciara Short, Katelynn Doran, Molly Boyne (capt), Rosie Searle.
Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Hannah Wilson, Clodagh Dunne, Meabh Keegan, Katie Whelan, Heidi Lyons, Clara Dunne, Katie Corrigan.
On this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast, @damien_omeara @neil_treacy and @HannahOConnor22 discuss the Irish mindset as they try to instil belief they're going to go deep into this Rugby World Cup #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/jRzOVGjdku
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 28, 2025
Connacht v Ulster
The curtain-raiser in Donnybrook sees Connacht and Ulster face off again, in a contest that is often hotly contested.
Connacht pipped the tie in Galway this season, but with injuries of their own, they will feel disappointed to have missed out on a place in the final.
The girls from the west will be led by the experienced half-back pairing of captain Éabha Nic Dhonnacha at 10, and Gráinne Moran at 9 in a largely unchanged squad.
Ireland international Ailish Quinn misses out but fellow back-row forward Faith Oviawe was in sensational form last week and starts again in a pack that features Railway Union team-mate Poppy Garvey and Creggs’ Jemima Adams Verling.
Ulster have been forced into a handful of changes of their own including a switch between Kate and Lauren Farrell-McCabe at 15. Cara McClean earns her first start in a strong front row that features both India Daley and Sophie Barrett.
Connacht: Clara Barrett, Ava Ryder, Orla Dixon, Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin, Hannah Clarke, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (capt), Grainne Moran; Hannah Coen, Stacy Hanley, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Grace Browne Moran, Faith Oviawe, Lesley Ring, Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Lily Brady, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Beibhinn Gleeson, Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey, Karly Tierney, Sinead O’Brien, Aisling Whyte.
Ulster: Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Ciara Fitzsimons, Siohbán Sheerin, Tara O’Neill, Niamh Marley, Abby Moyles, Cara McLean; India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett, Lauren Darley, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Ruby Starrett, Stacey Sloan.
Replacements: Maebh Clenaghan, Aishling O'Connell, Sarah Roberts, Emily Whittle, Rebecca Beacom, Sophie Meeke, Kate Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson.
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Watch Ireland v Spain in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday from 11.30am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.
