Head Coach Scott Bemand has named a 36-player Ireland squad for the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, with nine uncapped players included as the national side prepares to build on recent progress at international level.
The squad, sponsored by Aon, was unveiled at the company’s Ireland headquarters in Dublin, with Erin King confirmed as captain for the Championship campaign.
We will have interviews with Scott Bemand, Captain Erin King and Stacey Flood on Sport for Business tomorrow.
Ireland will open their tournament away to England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, April 11, before hosting Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway a week later. That fixture will mark the first Women’s Six Nations match staged in the city.
Bemand’s side will then travel to France in Round 3, ahead of concluding the campaign with successive home fixtures against Wales in Belfast and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on May 17. More than 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the final-round clash, which will be the first standalone women’s international at the Dublin venue.
The squad features a blend of established internationals and emerging talent, with nine uncapped players selected following a three-day training camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre earlier this year.
Among the forwards, Beth Buttimer, Jemima Adams Verling, Eilís Cahill, Aoibheann McGrath and Sophie Barrett are all in line for their first caps, while the uncapped backs include Alana McInerney, Caitríona Finn, Niamh Gallagher and Robyn O’Connor. Many of those players have recently impressed in the Celtic Challenge, Ireland’s domestic pathway competition.
The inclusion of these players reflects an ongoing emphasis on squad development and depth, as Ireland look to strengthen their options across all positions. The wider group also retains a strong core of experienced players drawn from clubs in Ireland and the UK, including representatives from leading sides such as Gloucester-Hartpury, Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins.
Speaking at the squad announcement, Bemand said the selection balanced continuity with the introduction of new talent.
“We’re really excited to announce our squad for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.”
“Following on from last year’s Rugby World Cup, we’ve got a strong core of experienced players who have been central to the journey we have been on as a squad, alongside some emerging talent that have come through the pathways and underage system.”
He added that a positive training camp in January had helped lay the groundwork for the campaign ahead, with players and staff now focused on the opening rounds of the Championship.
“There is a real sense of belief, purpose and determination within the group to continue the hard work and progress our game further over the weeks and months ahead.”
Aon Ireland’s Head of Risk Capital, Peter Brady, reiterated the company’s long-standing support for the women’s team, highlighting the alignment between the squad’s values and those of the organisation.
Ireland will enter the Championship aiming to build momentum through a demanding schedule that away trips to England and France, but also includes three home fixtures, with increasing attendances reflecting growing interest in the women’s game.
Ireland Squad – 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations
Forwards (21):
Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)*
Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster)*
Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (captain)
Aoibheann McGrath (Ballincollig RFC/Munster)*
Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)
Niamh O’Dowd (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
Aoife Wafer (Harlequins)
Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs)
Backs (15):
Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)*
Robyn O’Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)*
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
* denotes uncapped
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Image Credit: Irish Rugby
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