Women's Interpros: Ulster skipper Cregan says Munster opener a 'brilliant opportunity'

Even though the game looks daunting against the holders, Beth Cregan thinks it's a brilliant opportunity.

Cregan says that the northern province is in a better place than it was a year ago.

Cregan is looking forward to seeing how we start against the reigning champion.

The games will be shown on the iPlayer.

Cregan is confident that viewers will see a much improved team.

Ireland's frontline internationals were missing as they prepared for the World Cup because of the opening weeks of the competition.

It will be very different 16 months from now with Ireland's home-based 15s players available for the provinces and the sevens players preparing for the World Series.

Donnybrook debacle

In addition to the 45 point defeat by Munster at Kingspan Stadium last season, Ulster were hammered 57-12 by Leinster before drawing 12-12 with Connacht at Donnybrook in a game which made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The IRFU's commitment to invest in the women's game, which includes professional contracts for Ireland's XVs players, seems to have made a difference to the mood around this year's interpros.

"We are really excited about putting our best foot forward and showcasing what this group is about and really trying to push on," said Cregan, who still occasionally turns out for her hometown City of Derry club.

I believe that anyone in the squad is capable of putting their hand up for any of the provinces or the green jersey.

We will always be looking for that win, no matter how competitive we are.

Cregan believes in the squad after seeing encouraging displays in recent warm-up games.

The game was played over 4 quarters.

We put a lot of pressure on the team. The games have tested our systems and allowed us to get on the front foot.

Cregan is careful to point out that her rugby development began at primary school and then with City of Derry before she moved to a club in Northern Ireland.

"I'm the player that I am through the development that I've had through my mother Anne," says the hooker, whose motherferried her over and back from Derry to Belfast for training sessions and matches after Beth became hooked on the game from the age of seven.

In addition to giving Cregan the chance to see expert coaching at close hand, playing in a Blackrock side whose coaches include a Grand Slam-winning boss can't be doing her any harm.

Cregan began a stint as City of Derry women's head coach two years ago before she moved to Dublin and she made no attempt to hide her ambitions to get back on the coaching ladder when her playing career ends

I play for Blackrock in the All-Ireland League but I still play for City of Derry. It has been a change for her but it has been great.

Blackrock has a professional set-up. It has been great to see the number of other girls who have represented Blackrock in the All-Ireland League this year.

Cregan's Blackrock team-mates, as well as several other Dublin-based players, will get action for Ulster in the interpros.

Cregan describes Stewart Moore and Eric O' Sullivan as "hints and tips".

Cregan says this year's match facilities include the opener at Ireland's Women's Six Nations home venue, Musgrave Park, a week later at Kingspan Stadium, and then a game against Leinster at the Queen's Playing Fields.

Anne's health issues mean she can't see her daughter in action in the flesh, but the coverage on the iPlayer will allow her to give her usual honest but positive feedback.

She was the one who knew the rules. She was the driver for me in rugby.