'Strong core of experienced players' included in Ireland squad for Women's Six Nations

Ireland Head Coach Scott Bemand has announced an experienced 36-player squad for the upcoming 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Newly appointed captain Erin King will lead the side into the Championship with well established names including last year’s Player of the Championship Aoife Wafer, and 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Stacey Flood, Niamh O’Dowd and Neve Jones, with Dorothy Wall back in the international fray after missing the World Cup due to injury.

Bemand has named nine uncapped players in the squad, most of whom have recently impressed in the Celtic Challenge competition, as Wolfhounds and Clovers prepare to compete in the semi-finals this weekend.

Ireland will open their Championship at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham against the reigning World Cup champions England on Saturday 11th April, before hosting Italy at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday 18th April.

The squad then travel to France in round 3 on Saturday 25th April, before concluding the Guinness Women’s Six Nations with back-to-back home games in Belfast and Dublin against Wales and Scotland.

Scotland come to the Aviva Stadium on the final weekend on Sunday 17th May in what promises to be a special occasion with over 15,000 tickets already sold for the first ever standalone women’s match at the Home of Irish Rugby.

Bemand said: “We’re really excited to announce our squad for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Following on from last year’s Rugby World Cup, we’ve got a strong core of experienced players who have been central to the journey we have been on as a squad, alongside some emerging talent that have come through the pathways and underage system.

“We had a positive three-day camp in January to lay the foundations for what’s ahead and the group – both players and staff – are excited to come back together now to narrow the focus on the challenges ahead. We have a number of exciting opportunities in front of us and there is a real sense of belief, purpose and determination within the group to continue the hard work and progress our game further over the weeks and months ahead.”

Fixture

Womens Six Nations

England Women

33 - 12

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Ireland Women

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Ireland Squad for 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations:

Forwards:
Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) *
Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster) *
Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(captain)
Aoibheann McGrath (Ballincollig RFC/Munster)*
Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)
Niamh O’Dowd (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
Aoife Wafer (Harlequins)
Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs)

Backs:
Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby) *
Robyn O’Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) *
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)

* denotes uncapped