(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Ireland Women’s Head Coach Scott Bemand Names 32-Player Squad for 2025 Rugby World Cup
Ireland Women’s head coach Scott Bemand has revealed his 32-player squad ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, kicking off on August 22nd. The team features 18 forwards and 14 backs, captained by Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan.
Despite sustaining a knee injury early in the pre-season, forward Aoife Wafer has been included in the squad. Hooker Beth Buttimer is the only uncapped player named, while Ivana Kiripati, Nancy McGillivray, and Ellena Perry all earned caps during recent warm-up matches.
Bemand commented, “Qualifying in April 2024 gave us valuable time to prepare and build depth in our ‘Green Wave’. Most of this squad have been training together since June, and we’re excited to begin our World Cup journey.”
Co-captain Edel McMahon added, “Missing the last World Cup motivated all of us. Returning Ireland to the world stage means everything. We’re ready and determined to give our all for the country.”
Co-captain Sam Monaghan said, “The ‘Green Wave’ represents our spirit on the field. We want to make our families proud and inspire the nation. This is what we’ve worked tirelessly for, and we will leave nothing behind.”
Ireland Women’s Rugby World Cup Squad 2025
Forwards:
Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC / Ulster), Beth Buttimer* (UL Bohemian / Munster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster), Eimear Corri Fallon (Blackrock RFC / Leinster), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster), Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC / Connacht), Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC / Munster), Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC / Ulster), Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs / Connacht), Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women / IQ Rugby), Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster), Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster), Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC / Leinster)
Backs:
Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC / Munster), Amee Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC / Munster), Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster), Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht), Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC / Leinster), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians / Connacht), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC / Leinster), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC / Munster), Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC / Connacht), Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs / IQ Rugby), Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster), Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht), Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht), Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawatū RFC / Leinster)
