2026 WXV Global Series preview: Ireland

Largely as expected, Ireland were dominant at times against Italy, Wales and Scotland during the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

They threw enough punches when losing to France and England to suggest that they are on a path that may well lead to being properly competitive against those nations in the years to come.

The Scotland game was a fantastic way for Ireland to end their Women’s Six Nations campaign, playing arguably the best attacking rugby of the Scott Bemand era in front of a record crowd at the Aviva Stadium.

That said, there were moments that suggest there is work still to be done. Against England, Ireland looked athletically outmatched and unable to compete with the superior skill level of the Red Roses, albeit the second half was a significantly improved showing once they adapted to the pace of the game.

When taking on France in front of a raucous atmosphere at the Stade Marcel Michelin, Ireland reached a physical level rarely seen in the way they sought to take on the side that narrowly knocked them out of last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, but they lacked a Plan B when a series of TMO interventions ensured the power approach did not work.

They also were exposed in terms of depth when France brought on a number of power options from their bench. That could be an area Ireland look to address in the coming months.

Biggest Tests

Ireland kick-off their WXV Global Series run with home fixtures against the USA and Japan on September 20th and 27th respectively. After a second Test against Japan in Cork – a match that does not form part of WXV Global Series – Ireland then travel to South Africa for a pair of WXV Global Series Tests in Cape Town.

Welcoming the USA sees the return of a familiar face in Jack Hanratty, the Dublin native now coaching the Eagles. Ireland last played Japan in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 12 months ago, ultimately running out comfortable 42-14 winners after a stubborn first hour showing from the Brave Blossoms. They have only once before played against South Africa, beating them in the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and have never played a Test in the southern hemisphere nation.

In terms of on-pitch questions facing this team, it remains to be seen how many will be answered. Ireland have plenty of forward power with the likes of Aoife Wafer, Erin King and plenty of others, but what held them back against better sides in the Women’s Six Nations was the ability to have a Plan B when grunt didn’t get them over the line.

Granted the most recent evidence was a supreme attacking display against Scotland, but it remains to be seen if games against lower ranked teams are a true reflection of where Ireland are at with their more nuanced attacking play.

Star players

Sometimes the easiest answers are the best ones. When it comes to star players, it’s difficult to look past Aoife Wafer. Recently named captain of Harlequins, she continues to rack up accolades after both an impressive debut JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign to go with another strong Women’s Six Nations.

If there is an area where Wafer’s game could improve, it would probably be her ability to bring others into the game. We all know how she dominates contact with the best of them, but if her handling skills add an extra layer to her attack, particularly when offloading out of contact, then she becomes all the harder to defend. To be fair, we did see flashes of this skillset during the Women’s Six Nations.

Away from Wafer, you don’t need to go far to find Ireland’s next most important player, their captain and fellow back-row Erin King. An all-rounder given her ability to carry and find the line from close range all while racking up high tackle and turnover counts, she is the glue in an Irish back-row that changes balance depending on requirements.

Sometimes Brittany Hogan gets a run at six if some traditional carrying and defensive work is required, sometimes lock Fiona Tuite is used as a hybrid if the lineout is more of a priority.

Another name to watch is Beth Buttimer. The UL Bohs and Munster hooker has been in plenty of Ireland squads without earning a cap yet. She went to both the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the recent Women’s Six Nations, but unsurprisingly found PWR duo Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Neve Jones tricky to unseat.

She could well continue to struggle for Irish game time, given the quality and experience of the pair ahead of her. Regardless, after a stellar interpro campaign for Munster, it may be tempting for Bemand to see what he has at the top level with a player who has been around the squad for a while now.

Prediction

Given the World Rugby rankings [Ireland are currently 5th, USA 8th, South Africa 10th and Japan 11th], Bemand and his coaching staff will be disappointed with anything other than four WXV Global Series wins in as many outings over the coming months.

The USA are in the early stages of a long-term project under their new coach Hanratty, targeting peaking at the next Women’s Rugby World Cup, if not the one after that on home soil in 2033. They are simply not at as advanced a stage in their development as Ireland, who should be comfortable enough playing on their own patch.

Similarly with Japan, it’s difficult to see any sort of slip up from the higher ranked side. Ireland have the comfort of knowing they dealt with a few punches before padding the scoreboard in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup meeting. Plus, they have good recent memories of the Dexcom Stadium, the home of Connacht and the venue for the Japan clash, having comfortably beaten Italy there during the recent Women’s Six Nations.

On paper, there are two things that could complicate the picture in terms of Ireland securing a 100 per cent return. Firstly, to what extent does Bemand use fixtures against lower ranked opposition outside of a Women’s Six Nations window as an opportunity to experiment? Ireland’s line-up is largely settled and experienced. They are also in a relative sweet spot where most of those experienced players are not yet touching an age when we start questioning their longevity.

Still, there could be the odd new face. Ellena Perry has retired, meaning there is a spot at loosehead open. That aside, it’s difficult to see at what positions Bemand may feel the need to get younger.

At hooker, Moloney-MacDonald is 33, but Jones is likely entering her peak at 27 while the aforementioned 21-year-old Buttimer is itching to get going.

The other factor which may be the biggest challenge for Ireland is unfamiliarity. Travelling to Cape Town for a pair of Tests is an undoubtedly exciting novelty, but it is an unknown. This Ireland group, it should be said, have a good history when travelling, having beaten New Zealand in Vancouver back in 2024.

Provided any potential line-up experimentation and travel doesn’t add any complications, it’s difficult to see anything other than a 100% record for Ireland in this window.