Alison Coffey and Suzanne O'Brien have been included in the 12-strong Britain and Ireland amateur team which takes on a women's professional selection for the Weetabix Challenge Trophy at Ganton on April 15th. After the match, the eight-woman team for the Curtis Cup match with the United States will be selected.

Former Irish international Claire Dowling, who is captain of the Curtis Cup team, expects the elite amateur squad to benefit from a series of winter training sessions.

"I'm in no doubt we can give the professionals a run for their money and follow that by winning back the Curtis Cup in June," said Dowling.

Coffey (Warrenpoint) and O'Brien (Milltown) are seeking debut appearances in the Curtis Cup and have been part of the elite training programme for the past 12 months.