Fowley calls time on 'unforgettable' Ireland career

Nicole Fowley has called time on her international career after a decade wearing an Ireland jersey.

After she made her debut for Ireland in 2016, the 32-year-old fly-half won 16 caps over the next decade and was part of Scott Bemand’s 32-player squad at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup earlier this year.

She wrote on Instagram: “Ten years on from my first cap against England in 2016 to the 2025 Rugby World Cup, it’s been an unforgettable journey. I’ve travelled the world, made lifelong friends, and every moment in the green jersey has been an honour.

“The highs were incredible, the lows made me stronger, and I’m grateful for the resilience they taught me. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife, parents, family, coaches/physios and teammates.

“Now it’s time to retire from international rugby and find my next adventure – fingers crossed it involves more travelling & saunas.”

Fowley’s rugby journey began with Sligo RFC. She later moved to Railway Union and then to Galway in 2016. It was with Galwegians and Connacht that the back rose to prominence and quickly won three Test caps for her country.

It was not until her international recall 2019 that Fowley added to her tally. Another spell in the international wilderness followed until 2023 when Bemand included her in his plans for WXV 3.

In Dubai she certainly made an impression. A second half cameo against Kazakhstan saw her nail six conversions in a dominant 109-0 win.

At the time Fowley said: “I was almost at a stage that I thought my Ireland days were probably over. I was really just focusing on club and province at the time and doing the best I could for them in terms of being a captain, a leader and performing to my best ability.

“I didn’t really put pressure on myself to think, ‘Oh God, should I push myself for a spot with Ireland’, like I honestly didn’t. My main focus was to be the best player I could be for Connacht, and I guess in doing that maybe it took the pressure off in terms of having to perform well. In the end it worked out.”