Aoife Wafer returns to boost Ireland for World Cup quarterfinal clash

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has confirmed his match-day squad for Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final clash with France at Sandy Park, where his side will attempt to reach just the second semi-final in their history.

Bemand has kept faith with the backline that started Ireland’s pool campaign, naming Stacey Flood, Béibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan as his back three. Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton resume their midfield partnership, while Aoibheann Reilly and Dannah O’Brien once again pair up in the half-backs.

In the forwards, Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang pack down in the front row, with Ruth Campbell joining captain Sam Monaghan in the second row.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

The back row sees Brittany Hogan and Fiona Tuite joined by the returning Aoife Wafer, who will make her tournament debut after recovering from knee surgery.

Wafer, 22, has not featured in the competition so far but was named Women’s Six Nations Player of the Tournament earlier this year. The flanker, who will join Harlequins after the World Cup, has been declared fit following weeks of rehabilitation.

Ireland, who lost 40-0 to holders New Zealand in their final Pool C fixture, will be aiming to bounce back quickly against familiar opponents.

France defeated them 27-15 in the Six Nations earlier this year and have won the last eight meetings between the sides.

History is not on Ireland’s side. France have claimed victory in all four of their previous World Cup encounters, including a narrow seven-point win in the 2014 bronze medal match. Les Bleues also stormed through the pool stages in England with three commanding wins, scoring 26 tries and conceding just two.

Still, Ireland’s set piece could provide a platform. Bemand’s side have the third-best lineout success rate in the competition at 89 percent, while France rank second worst at 65 percent despite leading all teams in lineout steals. O’Brien’s kicking game may also be pivotal; she gained more than 1,500 meters from the boot in the pool stage, the most of any player.

The replacements bench includes experienced hooker Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald, with Ellena Perry and Sadhbh McGrath providing further front-row cover. Eimear Corri-Fallon and Grace Moore round out the pack options, while Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Anna McGann cover the backs.

Ireland team to face France

1. Niamh O’Dowd, 2.Neve Jones, 3.Linda Djougang, 4. Ruth Campbell, 5.Sam Monaghan (captain), 6.Fiona Tuite, 7.Aoife Wafer, 8. Brittany Hogan, 9. Aoibheann Reilly, 10.Dannah O’Brien, 11.Amee-Leigh Costigan, 12.Eve Higgins, 13.Aoife Dalton, 14. Béibhinn Parsons, 15.Stacey Flood.

Replacements: 16. Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald, 17. Ellena Perry, 18. Sadhbh McGrath, 19. Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20. Grace Moore, 21. Emily Lane, 22. Enya Breen, 23. Anna McGann.