Head Coach Murray Houston has named six starting debutants with a further two on the bench for Ulster's opening Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship game with Munster at Virgin Media Park, Cork (2.30pm, TG4).

Of those Cooke-based teenager Tara O'Neill will be of particular interest not least as there is a suggestion she is on the brink of being fast-tracked to the international set-up.

Others wearing the white jersey for a first time at senior level include the back-three Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Sophie Meeke, Lauren Patterson plus back-rows Moya Hill and Christy Hill.

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Sale Sharks Vicky Irwin, who won six Ireland caps through 2022 and 2023 and who is known for her ability to play all across the backs, returns for her first Ulster game since 2009, taking the out-half slot alongside scrum-half and captain Kathryn Dane.

Peita McAlister partners O'Neill in the centre with McCabe, Meeks and Patterson completing the backs.

Gemma McCamley starts at loosehead prop, where she is joined by India Daley at hooker and Sophie Barrett, fresh from her U20 Six Nations Summer series involvement, at tighthead prop.

The second-row is covered by Brenda Barr and Ireland international Fiona Tuite. Moya Hill and Christy Hill will be at blindside and openside flanker respectively with vice-captain Brittany Hogan at no8.

There is a five-three split on the bench Maebh Clenaghan, Bronach Cassidy, Megan Brodie, Cara O'Kane, Stacey Sloan provide forward options, Lucy Thompson and potential debutants Paige Smyth and Lucy Thompson covering the backs.

Ulster: Lauren Farrell-McCabe; Sophie Meeke, Peita McAlister, Tara O'Neill, Lauren Patterson, Vicky Irwin, Kathryn Dane (C); Gemma McCamley, India Daley, Sophie Barrett, Brenda Barr, Fiona Tuite, Moya Hill, Christy Hill, Brittany Hogan (VC).

Subs; Maebh Clenaghan, Bronach Cassidy, Megan Brodie, Cara O'Kane, Stacey Sloan, Rachael McIlroy, Paige Smyth, Lucy Thompson. Ruby Starrett travels Cork as a team reserve.

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