Ireland women's national rugby union team
Women's rugby union team representing the island of Ireland
 | |||
| Emblem | Shamrock | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Irish Rugby Football Union | ||
| Head coach | Scott Bemand | ||
| Captain | Sam Monaghan | ||
| Home stadium | Donnybrook Stadium | ||
| |||
| World Rugby ranking | |||
| Current | 10 (as of 4 September 2023) | ||
| Highest | 2 (11 August 2014) | ||
| First international | |||
 Scotland 10–0 Ireland  (Edinburgh, Scotland; 14 February 1993) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Ireland 109–0 Kazakhstan  (Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 13 October 2023) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 England 79–0 Ireland (Worcester, England; 17 February 2002) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 6 (First in 1994) | ||
| Best result | Fourth, 2014 | ||
| Website | www.irishrugby.ie | ||
The Ireland women's national rugby union team represents Ireland in international women's rugby union competitions such as the Women's Six Nations Championship and the Women's Rugby World Cup. They have also represented Ireland in the FIRA Women's European Championship. Ireland won the 2013 and 2015 Women's Six Nations Championships. In 2013 they also achieved both a Triple Crown and Grand Slam. They finished fourth in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup after defeating New Zealand in the pool stages. Ireland hosted the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. The team was originally organised by the Irish Women's Rugby Football Union. However, since 2009 it has been organised by the Irish Rugby Football Union
History
Early years
The Irish Women's Rugby Football Union was established in 1991.[1] Ireland made their international debut on 14 February 1993 with an away friendly against Scotland. This was also Scotland's first international. The match was played at Raeburn Place in front of a crowd of over 1,000. The Ireland team was coached by Alain Rolland while the Scotland coaches included Sandy Carmichael. Scotland won 10–0 with two tries from their captain, Sandra Colamartino. Ireland's first captain was Jill Henderson. A year later, on 13 February 1994, Ireland made their home international debut when a return match was played at Ravenhill. This time Scotland won 5–0.[2][3][4] In 2001 the IWRFU became affiliated to the Irish Rugby Football Union, in 2008 it effectively merged with the IRFU and since 2009 the IRFU has managed the women's national team.[1][4][5]
Rugby World Cup
Ireland have competed in every Women's Rugby World Cup since making their debut in the second tournament in 1994. They made their World Cup debut on 13 April 1994 with an 18–5 win against a Scottish Students XV. This was also Ireland's first competitive match in any competition.
Ireland's best performance at a World Cup tournament came in 2014 when they finished fourth after defeating New Zealand and winning Pool B. After defeating the United States 23–17 in their opening pool game, Ireland faced New Zealand, the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup winners in their second game. With tries from Heather O'Brien and Alison Miller and two conversions and a penalty from Niamh Briggs, Ireland defeated New Zealand 17–14. It was just the second match New Zealand had lost in a World Cup tournament. It was the first time the Ireland women had played New Zealand and they became only the second Irish team, after Munster in 1978, to defeat a New Zealand national rugby union team.[6][7][8] The result has been described as "one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history".[9] Ireland subsequently qualified for the semi-finals with a 40–5 win against Kazakhstan.[10][11] Ireland eventually finished fourth in the tournament after losing 18–25 to France in the third place play-off.[12]
They failed to qualify for the 2022 Rugby World Cup, after ending in third place of the qualifying round of September 2021 in Italy.
Six Nations Championship
Ireland made their debut in the Women's Six Nations Championship, then known as the Women's Home Nations Championship, in the inaugural 1996 competition. They played their first game against Scotland on 21 January 1996.[2] During the 1990s and early 2000s, Ireland never challenged for the championship. They regularly finished in the wooden spoon position at the bottom of the table. Before winning their first championship in 2013, the highest position they ever finished in the competition was third. They did not enter in 2000 and 2001 and were replaced by Spain. When Ireland returned in 2002, the competition became known as the Six Nations for the first time. In 2002 Ireland also suffered their biggest ever defeat when they lost 79–0 to England. Ireland won their first Six Nations match in 2005 when they defeated Wales 11–6.[1] Ireland defeated Scotland for the first time on 10 March 2007 with an 18–6 win at Meggetland.[2] In 2009 Ireland defeated France for the first time.[13]
Ireland won their first championship in 2013, winning both a Triple Crown and a Grand Slam at the same time. In their opening match of the campaign, Ireland beat Wales 12–10. Then on 9 February 2013 they defeated England for the first time. Alison Miller scored a hat-trick of tries as Ireland won 25–0. On 23 February 2013 they clinched their first Triple Crown with a 30–3 win against Scotland.[14][15][16] On 8 March 2013 Ireland effectively won the championship after they defeated France 15–10. It was confirmed the following day after Italy failed to defeat England.[17][18] Ireland eventually finished four points clear of runners-up France.[19] Ireland secured the Grand Slam with a 6–3 away win against Italy on Saint Patrick's Day. Two penalties from Niamh Briggs gave Ireland their fifth win in a row.[19][20][21]
In 2015, Ireland won their second championship and second Triple Crown in three years. They won the championship on points difference over France, after both teams had won four of their five matches. Ireland had to win their final game, against Scotland, by a margin of 27 points or more to win the title and achieved this with a 73–3 win. The result is also Ireland's biggest ever win.[22][23][24]
FIRA Women's European Championship
Ireland has also competed in the FIRA Women's European Championship. They first played in the tournament in 1997. Their best performance in this tournament was a third-place finish in 2008. In 2004 they won the Plate competition after defeating Spain 20–12 in the final.
Players
Current squad
Ireland announced their 30-player squad for the inaugural WXV 3 tournament in Dubai on 26 September 2023.[25]
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christy Haney | Prop | (1994-02-02)2 February 1994 (aged 29) | 10 | Blackrock College RFC / Leinster |
| Linda Djougang | Prop | (1996-05-17)17 May 1996 (aged 27) | 29 | Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster |
| Niamh O'Dowd | Prop | (2000-04-21)21 April 2000 (aged 23) | 1 | Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster |
| Sadhbh McGrath | Prop | (2004-08-30)30 August 2004 (aged 19) | 5 | MU Barnhall RFC / Cooke RFC / Ulster |
| Sam Monaghan | Second row | (1993-06-25)25 June 1993 (aged 30) | 15 | Gloucester-Hartpury |
| Grace Moore | Back row | (1996-05-21)21 May 1996 (aged 27) | 10 | Saracens |
| Maeve Óg O'Leary | Back row | (2000-03-06)6 March 2000 (aged 23) | 4 | Blackrock College RFC / Munster |
| Aoife Wafer | Back row | (2003-03-25)25 March 2003 (aged 20) | 1 | Blackrock College RFC / Leinster |
| Brittany Hogan | Back row | (1998-09-19)19 September 1998 (aged 25) | 15 | Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster |
| Dorothy Wall | Back row | (2000-05-04)4 May 2000 (aged 23) | 20 | Blackrock College RFC / Munster |
| Edel McMahon | Back row | (1994-03-25)25 March 1994 (aged 29) | 21 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Eimear Corri | Forward | (1998-04-09)9 April 1998 (aged 25) | 0 | Blackrock College RFC / Leinster |
| Fiona Tuite | Forward | (1996-12-27)27 December 1996 (aged 26) | 0 | Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster |
| Megan Collis | Forward | (2001-12-06)6 December 2001 (aged 21) | 0 | Railway Union RFC / Leinster |
| Neve Jones | Forward | (1998-12-26)26 December 1998 (aged 24) | 18 | Gloucester-Hartpury |
| Ruth Campbell | Forward | (2003-06-27)27 June 2003 (aged 20) | 0 | MU Barnhall RFC / Leinster |
| Sarah Delaney | Forward | (2004-12-08)8 December 2004 (aged 18) | 0 | Cill Dara RFC / Leinster |
| Aoibheann Reilly | Scrum-half | (2000-11-01)1 November 2000 (aged 22) | 4 | Blackrock College RFC / Connacht |
| Molly Scuffil-McCabe | Scrum-half | (1998-03-15)15 March 1998 (aged 25) | 9 | Railway Union RFC / Leinster |
| Dannah O’Brien | Fly-half | (2003-09-22)22 September 2003 (aged 20) | 7 | Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster |
| Nicole Fowley | Fly-half | (1992-12-23)23 December 1992 (aged 30) | 8 | Galwegians RFC / Connacht |
| Aoife Dalton | Centre | (2003-05-03)3 May 2003 (aged 20) | 7 | Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster |
| Eve Higgins | Centre | (1999-06-23)23 June 1999 (aged 24) | 9 | Railway Union RFC / Leinster |
| Aoife Doyle | Wing | (1995-06-02)2 June 1995 (aged 28) | 17 | Railway Union RFC / Munster |
| Béibhinn Parsons | Wing | (2001-11-30)30 November 2001 (aged 21) | 18 | Blackrock College RFC / Connacht |
| Natasja Behan | Wing | (2000-02-18)18 February 2000 (aged 23) | 7 | Blackrock College RFC / Leinster |
| Clara Barrett | Back | (2004-01-19)19 January 2004 (aged 19) | 0 | UL Bohemian RFC / Connacht |
| Katie Whelan | Back | (2003-02-27)27 February 2003 (aged 20) | 0 | Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster |
| Leah Tarpey | Back | (2003-08-25)25 August 2003 (aged 20) | 2 | Railway Union RFC / Leinster |
| Méabh Deely | Fullback | (2000-10-25)25 October 2000 (aged 22) | 7 | Blackrock College RFC / Connacht |
Records
| Rank | Change* | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | England | 096.18 |
| 2 | |  New Zealand | 090.56 |
| 3 | |  France | 087.89 |
| 4 | |  Canada | 086.27 |
| 5 | |  Australia | 081.61 |
| 6 |  2 | Scotland | 075.90 |
| 7 | |  Italy | 075.61 |
| 8 |  2 |  Wales | 075.14 |
| 9 | |  United States | 072.02 |
| 10 | | Ireland | 071.52 |
| 11 | |  Japan | 069.38 |
| 12 | 1 |  South Africa | 065.72 |
| 13 | 1 |  Spain | 063.54 |
| 14 | |  Russia | 061.10 |
| 15 | |  Netherlands | 060.47 |
| 16 | |  Samoa | 059.57 |
| 17 | |  Fiji | 058.65 |
| 18 | |  Hong Kong China | 058.31 |
| 19 | | Kazakhstan | 055.97 |
| 20 | |  Sweden | 052.84 |
| *Change from the previous week | |||
World Cup
| Rugby World Cup | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | PF | PA | ||
| 1991 | Did not compete | |||||||||
| 1994 | 7th place playoff | 7th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 32 | 125 | ||
| 1998 | Bowl final | 10th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 57 | 82 | ||
| 2002 | 13th place playoff | 14th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 97 | ||
| 2006 | 7th place playoff | 8th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 72 | 96 | ||
| 2010 | 7th place playoff | 7th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 94 | 90 | ||
| 2014 | 3rd place playoff | 4th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 105 | 101 | ||
| 2017 | 7th place playoff | 8th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 89 | 115 | ||
| 2021 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
| Total | 7/9 | 4th | 34 | 14 | 0 | 20 | 467 | 706 | ||
| ||||||||||
Overall
See List of Ireland women's national rugby union team matches
- Full internationals only
Correct as of 23 March 2024[27]
| Against | First game | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1998 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 25.00% |
| Canada | 2002 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% |
 Colombia | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
| England | 1996 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 6.45% |
| France | 1993 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 9.38% |
 Germany | 1997 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Italy | 1997 | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 86.36% |
| Japan | 1994 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% |
| Kazakhstan | 1998 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.14% |
| Netherlands | 1998 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
| New Zealand | 2014 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% |
| Samoa | 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
| Scotland | 1993 | 32 | 15 | 0 | 17 | 46.88% |
| South Africa | 2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Spain | 1997 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 45.45% |
| United States | 1994 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 37.50% |
| Wales | 1996 | 30 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 43.33% |
| Total | 1993 | 198 | 80 | 1 | 117 | 40.4% |
Six Nations
| England | France | Ireland | Italy | Scotland | Spain | Wales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournaments | 27 | 24 | 25 | 16 | 27 | 7 | 27 |
| Outright Wins | 18 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Slams | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Triple Crowns | 22 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Wooden Spoons | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 6 |
Head coaches
| Years | |
|---|---|
| Alain Rolland[3] | 1993 |
| Johnnie Neary | 1998 |
| Philip Doyle | 2003–2006 |
| John O'Sullivan | 2006–2008 |
| Steven Hennessy[13] | 2009–2010 |
| Kevin West | 2010–2012 |
| Philip Doyle | 2012–2014 |
| Tom Tierney | 2014–2017 |
| Adam Griggs[28][29] | 2017–2021 |
| Greg McWilliams[30][31] | 2021–2023 |
| Scott Bemand[32] | 2023- |
Honours
- Women's Six Nations Championship
- Grand Slam
- Winners: 2013
- Triple Crown
- WXV
- WXV3 Winners: 2023
- FIRA Women's European Championship Plate
- Winners: 2004
References
- ^ a b c "'Women who participated in other traditional 'male' sports used to be regarded as some sort of sexual deviants'". The Irish Independent. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "Ireland and Scotland celebrate 25 years". scrumqueens.com. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Pioneers celebrate 25th anniversary of first Scotland women's international". theoffsideline.com. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Women's Teams Reunite To Mark 25th Anniversary". irishrugby.ie. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Ireland's new Call". The Irish Independent. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Black Ferns lose historic match to Ireland". allblacks.com. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ^ "Women's Rugby World Cup 2014: Ireland stun four-time champions New Zealand". The Daily Telegraph. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Irish women's rugby team record historic win over New Zealand". The Irish Independent. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Women's Rugby World Cup: The story so far". rwcwomens.com. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Ireland crush Kazakhstan to book World Cup semi-final spot". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "The history makers: behind the scenes with Ireland's women". BBC. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ "France too strong for Ireland in playoffs". emeraldrugby.com. 18 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Women Secure First Ever Victory Over France". irishrugby.ie. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "Miller hat-trick hands Ireland historic win over England". sixnationsrugby.com. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Women's Six Nations: Ireland beat Scotland to win Triple Crown". BBC. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "In pictures: Ireland's women capture first ever Triple Crown". the42.ie. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Ireland sink France to close in on RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam". sixnationsrugby.com. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
- ^ "Ireland v France – Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship Photos". sportsfile.com. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Women's Six Nations: Champions Ireland complete Grand Slam". BBC. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Grand Slam Glory For Ireland Women". irishrugby.ie. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Narrow win secures Grand Slam for Irish women". The Irish Times. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Women's Six Nations: Ireland hammer Scotland to clinch title". BBC. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ "Biggest Ever Win Seals Six Nations Title For Ireland Women". irishrugby.ie. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Ireland Women Crowned 6 Nations Champions". leinsterrugby.ie. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "Bemand Names Ireland Squad For WXV". Irish Rugby. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Fixtures & Results". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "Griggs Appointed Ireland Women's Head Coach". irishrugby.ie. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "IRFU Update On Ireland Women's Head Coach Position". irishrugby.ie. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Greg McWilliams". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Irish Rugby | Greg McWilliams Vacates Role".
- ^ "Irish Rugby | Scott Bemand Appointed Ireland Women's Team Head Coach".
