Head Coach Scott Bemand has today named a 35-player Ireland squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, as well as a 15-strong backroom team, as preparations get underway for the 2024 campaign opener away to France on Saturday, 23 March.

Following the successful WXV3 Tournament in Dubai and the current Celtic Challenge series, Bemand and the Ireland coaching team have confirmed their panel for the upcoming Championship, with eight uncapped players included in the squad.

Ruth Campbell and Katie Whelan, who were part of the WXV3 squad, as well as Chisom Ugwuere, Katie Corrigan, Katie Heffernan and Clare Gorman who have all impressed in this year’s Celtic Challenge campaign earn a first Ireland call up, while uncapped IQ (Ireland Qualified) Rugby duo Andrea Stock and Shannon Ikahihifo are also included.

Having assumed the co-captaincy role for the WXV3 tournament in Dubai, Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon will once again lead the side for the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship.

There are five players named in the squad who have featured on the HSBC SVNS Series for Ireland this year, including Béibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins and Aoibheann Reilly who were all part of Ireland’s historic title win in Perth back in January.

In addition to the 34 players included in the squad, Bemand has named seven players in a wider training panel who will also assemble at the IRFU High Performance Centre when camp commences on Monday 26, February: India Daley, Kate Flannery, Hannah O’Connor, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Ivanna Kiripati, Leah Tarpey and Kayla Waldron are in this group.

As well as the playing group, the IRFU have also named the back room team that will be supporting them during the Championship. These include four senior coaches and Larissa Muldoon as an assistant off the back of a World Rugby development programme. Elaine Ryan is the Team manager and there are experts in physio, nutrition, strength and conditioning and communications as well as a team doctor and baggage master.

One interesting additional position is that of Sean Ryan as the High Performance Culture and Leadership Lead. This was created after the review into the disappointing campaign last year and is one to keep an eye on.

Ireland open their Championship away to France at Stade Marie-Marvingt on Saturday, 23 March (Kick-off 3.15pm, Irish time live on RTÉ), before facing Italy at home in the RDS on Easter Sunday, 31 March. (Kick-off 3pm, live on RTÉ).

After a down week, the campaign resumes with another home game, in Virgin Media Park in Cork against Wales on Saturday, 13 April (Kick-off 4.45pm, live on Virgin Media), and then away to England in Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 20 April (Kick-off 2.15pm, live on Virgin Media).

Ireland conclude the Championships at home in Kingspan Stadium, against Scotland on Saturday, 27 April (Kick-off 2.30pm, live on RTÉ).

“We are excited for this group of players who will represent Ireland in the upcoming Guinness Women’s Six Nations,” said Bemand.

“The WXV3 and the Celtic Challenge preparation has been vital for our development and expanding our player pool. On the back of the success of the Women’s Sevens side, we are chasing potential through this group of players and we are all looking to perform in a high quality competition.”

“With three home games in Ireland, we are looking forward to connecting with the fan base and playing in front of home crowds in Dublin, Cork and Belfast and would urge everyone to get behind the team and show their support for the Women’s team”

 

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