The Leinster Rugby squad, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, has been named ahead of this year’s Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

Head Coach Ben Armstrong has selected a mix of established players and an injection of new talent.

Sene Naoupu will captain the team once more this year as they aim to retain their title in the new extended format which has been implemented for 2019.

Ten uncapped players have been added to the squad with the new recruits coming from Tullow RFC, Old Belvedere RFC, Railway Union RFC and Blackrock College RFC.

Looking ahead to the Championship, Leinster Women’s Head Coach Ben Armstrong said:

“We’re very excited with the team we have picked, but we had to make some very tough decisions and will have more tough decisions coming up with the team to be named shortly.

“I’m excited to see what the new faces will do and it’s great to have some of the old faces back into the Leinster blue.

“We have given the trophy back now and feel it’s up for grabs, training has definitely upped a notch and we’re excited to try and win the trophy again this year.”

The Leinster Rugby Women will begin their title defence against Connacht Rugby Women on Saturday, 17 August, in Energia Park in the second part of a historic triple-header.

The day will begin with Leinster Men’s team facing Coventry in a Bank of Ireland Pre-season Friendly (KO 3pm) followed by the Women’s Interprovincial opener.

The Leinster U19s will finish off the day in the first game of the U19 Interprovincial Championship against Ulster Rugby (KO 7.45pm)

Tickets are available from €10

2019 Leinster Rugby Women’s squad:

Elaine Anthony (Old Belvedere RFC) *

Chloe Blackmore (Railway Union RFC)

Judy Bobbett (Blackrock College RFC) *

Lisa Callan (Railway Union RFC) *

Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC)

Aimee Clarke (Railway Union RFC)

Alison Coleman (Blackrock College RFC)

Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock College RFC)

Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC)

Anna Doyle (Tullow RFC) *

Clodagh Dunne (Old Belvedere RFC) *

Daisy Earle (Railway Union RFC) *

Jennie Finlay (Old Belvedere RFC)

Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC)

Rachel Horan (CYM RFC)

Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC)

Gemma Matthews (Old Belvedere RFC)

Grace Miller (Old Belvedere RFC) *

Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union RFC) *

Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere RFC)

Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere RFC) CAPTAIN

Niamh Ní Dhroma (Old Belvedere RFC) *

Meabh O’Brien (Suttonians RFC)

Elise O’Byrne-White (Old Belvedere RFC)

Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC)

Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC)

Lindsay Peat (Railway Union RFC)

Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC) *

Juliet Short (Railway Union RFC)

Megan Williams (Old Belvedere RFC)

* denotes new cap

Leinster Women’s Management Team

Head Coach: Ben Armstrong

Coaches: Phil De Barra, Tom McKeown, Stephen Maher

Team Manager: Lorna Quinn

Assistant Team Manager/Forwards Coach: Marie Louise Reilly

Women’s Interprovincial Championship schedule

Leinster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Energia Park (17 August, KO 5.30pm)

Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, City of Armagh RFC (24 August, KO 7.00pm)

Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, Irish Independent Park (31 August, KO 3.00pm)