'Embraced' Bemand extends stay as Ireland head coach

Scott Bemand said he had been “embraced” by Ireland‘s players and public upon signing a contract extension to stay as Ireland’s head coach until the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

On Wednesday it was confirmed that the 47-year-old will continue to lead the team he took over in 2023.

Since taking the reins Bemand has helped Ireland climb to fifth in the World Rugby rankings and led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Since his appointment, Ireland have won WXV 3, finished third in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and secured a first-ever win over the Black Ferns at WXV 1 in 2024.

Now he prepares to take a talented 36-player squad into the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations with the aim of improving on last year’s third-place finish.

“It was very quick [the decision to continue],” Bemand told Irish Rugby. “I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done in the last three years.

“The Irish players and public have embraced me coming over the water, and I am grateful for the sense of connection that I’ve got from coming in. This was my first head coach role.

“It’s never going to be as simple or smooth as people think. We’ve had some chastening experiences in the three years, particularly at Twickenham the last time, and losing the quarter-final (to France) that we could have and should have won.

“We continue as not just a playing group, now with the sevens and 15s coming together. We continue to evolve and grow as a wider squad, and I want to be part of that.”

Ireland’s 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign starts against world champions England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 11 April. The side will then host Italy at Dexcom Stadium.

They will conclude the Championship at Aviva Stadium against Scotland in mid-May. It will be the first-ever standalone women’s fixture hosted at the home of Irish Rugby and over 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the clash.

Former Ulster lock Alan O’Connor has joined Bemand’s coaching staff as forwards coach, while James Scaysbrook (defence), Gareth Steenson (backs and kicking) and Denis Fogarty (scrum coach) have been retaines.

Coming into this Guinness Women’s Six Nations, 2024 World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, Erin King will captain the side and nine uncapped players have been named in the 36-player squad.

This includes newcomers Eilís Cahill and Aoibheann McGrath, who have impressed in Energia All-Ireland and Celtic Challenge competitions.

“There’s a natural point after a World Cup where you look to refresh the group,” Bemand said. “We’ve got so much talent, so much potential coming through the Irish system, whether it be the WNTS (Women’s National Talent Squad), the pathway, the Celtic Challenge.

“The girls that are named are fully deserving of their opportunity. Of those nine, six have already been in camp with us, and some on multiple occasions. So actually they don’t come in as new, they come in as uncapped but have been a part of our group for a good while.

“Three of them are new in but they’ve fully earned their opportunity through the Celtic Challenge. Really exciting to see what they can do when they’re in camp with us. We think we’re going to see an elevated layer of competition which hopefully drives performance.”

IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said: “We’re delighted to secure Scott’s future for the next Rugby World Cup cycle at an important growth stage for our Women’s squad.

“The tireless work, dedication and investment Scott has put into the programme over the last couple of years has been evident through the team’s performances, and it was important for us to retain Scott’s leadership moving forward into this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign and beyond.

“In addition to the team’s on-field growth and evolution during Scott’s tenure, he has placed a huge emphasis on the development of young players and as we build towards 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia, we’re excited to advance the squad’s depth, ambition and performance levels.”