Ireland's Aoife Wafer wins Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship award
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Meet the 32-strong Ireland squad heading to the Rugby World Cup
Aoife Wafer Club: Blackrock/Leinster County: Wexford Age: 22 Position: Flanker READ MORE Wafer had been an injury concern after knee surgery, but is thankfully included in the World Cup squad. She won the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Tournament , was part of the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team, and was player of the match in the victory over New Zealand at the WXV1 tournament last year. Following the World Cup, she's set for a move to Harlequins. Ireland's Amee-Leigh Costigan in Cork for a warm-up match against Scotland. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Amee-Leigh Costigan Club: Railway Union/Munster County: Tipperary Age: 30 Position: Winger Perhaps best known for her Sevens antics, having been part of the Ireland team at the Paris Olympics, Costigan (formerly Murphy Crowe) is the Irish record-holder for most tries and was a try-scorer against England in this year's Six Nations. Ireland's Anna McGann scores her side's second try in Belfast despite McKinley Hunt of Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Anna McGann Club: Railway Union County: Westmeath Age: 26 Position: Outside centre Another Sevens recruit, McGann was unlucky to miss out on the Olympics due to injury. She came back to the 15s to score a hat-trick of tries against Italy in the Six Nations and touched down twice in the warm-up game against Canada. Ireland's Aoibheann Reilly in Belfast. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Aoibheann Reilly Club: Blackrock/Connacht County: Roscommon Age: 24 Position: Scrumhalf Two ACL injuries within nine months haven't prevented Reilly from returning to full strength and earning a spot on the plane to England. The Roscommon native has been part of the Sevens system since 2021 and got her first 15s cap in 2022, amassing a further 16 since. Ireland's Aoife Dalton during a warm-up match with England in Cork. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Aoife Dalton Club: Old Belvedere/Leinster County: Offaly Age: 22 Position: Inside centre Named in the 2025 Six Nations Team of the Tournament, and player of the match in Ireland's win over Italy, Dalton finished last season with a Women's Player's Player of the Year at the Rugby Player Ireland Awards. One to watch. Ireland's Béibhinn Parsons tackled by Canada's Karen Paquin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Beibhinn Parsons Club: Blackrock/Connacht County: Galway Age: 23 Position: Winger Despite her youth, Parsons is already a stalwart of the team, making history in 2016 as the youngest player to play a senior game for Ireland at 16. Back in form after injury, she scored two tries against Canada in the warm-up game. Ireland's Beth Buttimer in Belfast. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Beth Buttimer Club: UL Bohemian/Munster County: Tipperary Age: 19 Position: Hooker Buttimer, who turns 20 later this month, is the only uncapped player on the squad, having impressed in the recent u20 Summer Series. She has played with the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge and Munster at both underage and senior level. Ireland's Brittany Hogan during the warm-up match with Scotland. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Brittany Hogan Club: Old Belvedere/Ulster County: Down Age: 26 Position: Flanker Having missed out on the 2017 World Cup, Hogan has featured consistently Scott Bemand took the reins in 2023. Played in each of Ireland's Six Nations games this year and scored a try in the win over Italy. Ireland's Claire Boles training at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Claire Boles Club: Railway Union/Ulster County: Fermanagh Age: 27 Position: Flanker Boles travelled to the Olympics as a travelling reserve for the Sevens and was called on after Parsons and Lucy Mulhall were injured. She made her 15s debut in 2019, amassing four caps to date and was named in the squad for the game against Canada earlier this month. Ireland's Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald training in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald Club: Exeter Chiefs County: Galway Age: 32 Position: Hooker Almost three years exiled from the Irish team after a low point in the Irish women's team's relationship with the IRFU, she returned following Bemand's appointment. Playing her rugby full-time with Exeter Chiefs since 2022 after a move from Wasps, the Galway native has extended her contract for the 2025/2026 season. Ireland's Dannah O'Brien at a warm-up match in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Dannah O'Brien Club: Old Belvedere/ Leinster County: Carlow Age: 21 Position: Outhalf Called into the senior squad for the inaugural women's summer tour in Japan aged 19, the former Tullow player has gone on to score 136 points in the Six Nations. She was the Celtic Challenge's top points-scorer in 2025 with 74. Ireland's Edel McMahon and France's Charlotte Escudero at a warm-up match in Belfast. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Edel McMahon Club: Exeter Chiefs County: Clare Age: 31 Position: Flanker Co-captaining the team, McMahon is one of the more senior players in the Irish squad and has played in the English Premiership since 2019, when she moved from Connacht to Wasps. Now plays with Exeter since a move in 2022. Ireland's Eimear Corri Fallon training at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Eimear Corri Fallon Club: Blackrock/Leinster County: Laois Age: 27 Position: Lock Balancing her burgeoning rugby career with studying medicine, the Laois woman was part of the Leinster team that defeated Munster in the 2024 Interpros and was Player of the Match in Leinster's victory over Ulster. Ireland's Emily Lane at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Emily Lane Club: Blackrock/Munster County: Cork Age: 26 Position: Scrumhalf Lane made her Sevens debut in 2018, followed by her 15s debut in 2021. At the Paris Olympics, where Lane was the fifth most capped Irish player, she went viral when Erin King brought her safely to ground despite nearly tipping backwards over her team-mate's head during a lift. Ireland's Enya Breen at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Enya Breen Club: Blackrock/Munster County: Cork Age: 26 Position: Outhalf/centre A physiotherapist by trade, Breen has been a veteran of the 15s squad since her debut as a teenager in 2019 against France. She captained Ireland during their successful WXV1 campaign. Ireland's Eve Higgins at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Eve Higgins Club: Blackrock/Munster County: Kildare Age: 26 Position: Inside centre Higgins has been involved in Irish rugby for a decade now having been brought into the Sevens game at 16 before earning her first contract at 18, all while playing 15s for Railway Union. She's scored nine tries over her 27 caps at international 15s level and also featured at the Paris Olympics. Ireland's Fiona Tuite at the Affidea Stadium in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Fiona Tuite Club: Old Belvedere/Leinster County: Dublin Age: 28 Position: Second row A former Dublin footballer, Tuite was introduced to rugby through the Sevens set up. She first took up 15s in college where she studied physiotherapy. Despite being unlucky with injuries, she has amassed 17 caps with the senior team. Ireland's Grace Moore at the warm-up match against Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Grace Moore Club: Trailfinders Women County: IQ/London Age: 29 Position: Back row Scouted by the IQ Programme while playing for Richmond in the Premiership, Moore has played for Ireland in both Sevens and 15s. She played for Saracens before moving to Trailfinders for the 2024/2025 season. Moore has scored three tries in the Six Nations over her 20 appearances. Ireland's Ivana Kiripati during a warm-up match against Canada in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Ivana Kiripati Club: Creggs/Connacht County: Westmeath Age: 23 Position: Number 8 Kiripati got her first two senior caps in the recent World Cup warm-up games. She played with Connacht at underage level before moving to the US for college, where she played both Sevens and 15s, and was part of the first Ireland under-20s panel. Ireland's Linda Djougang playing against Scotland in a warm-up game. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Linda Djougang County: Dublin Club: Old Belvedere/Leinster Age: 29 Position: Prop The most capped player on the squad with 48, Djougang has been a constant for Ireland since her first cap in 2019. She's scored 45 Six Nations points and was named Player of the Year at the 2025 Leinster Rugby awards. Ireland's Molly Scuffil McCabe training at the IRFU High Performance Centre. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Molly Scuffil McCabe County: Dublin Club: Manawatu RFC/ Leinster Age: 27 Position: Scrumhalf Encouraged to take up rugby by her then teacher, former Ireland player Fiona Coghlan, Scuffil McCabe has played both Sevens and 15s. She divides her time between Ireland and New Zealand, doing a pre-veterinary course in Massey University and playing with Manawatu Cyclones. Ireland's Neve Jones during a warm-up match against Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Neve Jones County: Antrim Club: Gloucester Hartpury Age: 26 Position: Hooker Jones has been playing in the Premiership since 2022, having signed for Gloucester Hartpury. The 2020 Energia Women's AIL Rising Star, she captained Ireland in their warm-up defeat to Canada. Ireland's Eve Higgins and Niamh O'Dowd during a warm-up in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Niamh O'Dowd Club: Old Belvedere/Leinster County: Wexford Age: 25 Position: Prop Set to shine brighter after consecutive, consistent appearances in last year's WXV1 tournament and this year's Six Nations, where only Aoife Wafer and Stacey Flood had more carries. Nominated for Women's 15s Players' Player of the Year at the Rugby Player Ireland Awards. Ireland's Nicole Fowley at the IRFU High Performance Centre. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Nicole Fowley Club: Galwegians/Connacht County: Galway Age: 32 Position: Outhalf Last year's Connacht Player of the Year, Fowley earned her first international cap in November 2016 against England. Absent from the international set up from 2019 to 2023, she returned in the WXV3 tournament, coming off the bench to make six conversions against Kazakhstan. Scored 52 points in this year's Celtic Challenge. Ireland's Ruth Campbell comes up against Claire Gallagher of Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Ruth Campbell Club: Old Belvedere/Leinster County: Kildare Age: 22 Position: Second row In her first international game, Campbell started against Australia in September 2024, lasting the full 80 minutes. Her first Six Nations start came in March against France. Previously played for Naas before moving to Old Belvedere. Ireland's Sadhbh McGrath during a warm-up in Cork. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Sadhbh McGrath Club: Cooke RFC/Ulster County: Donegal Age: 21 Position: Prop McGrath has had a rapid rise to the senior international squad, having got into rugby when she was 14. Since then, she's played under-18s for Ulster and Ireland, and captained the Clovers against Byrthon Thunder. Ireland's Sam Monaghan breaks past Tyson Beukeboom of Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Sam Monaghan Club: Gloucester Hartpury/Ulster County: Meath Age: 32 Position: Second row Former Meath footballer, Monaghan offers leadership and experience in this young side. In 2024, she co-captained the team for the Six Nations with Edel McMahon but was unlucky to miss out on this year's campaign due to injury. Ireland's Siobhán McCarthy at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Siobhán McCarthy Club: Railway Union/Munster County: Clare Age: 30 Position: Prop/second row McCarthy picked up rugby after Ireland's Grand Slam in 2013, joining Shannon RFC before eventually persuading her twin Kate to do the same, later playing together for Railway Union. Got her first international cap in 2024 in a 36-10 victory over Australia in Belfast. Ireland's Stacey Flood playing in Belfast. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Stacey Flood Club: Railway Union/ Leinster County: Dublin Age: 29 Position: Back/outhalf Flood has played Sevens rugby for more than a decade having started in 2013. Another Paris Olympian, she returned to the 15s set-up for the Six Nations after the Celtic Challenge Cup, in which she was one of the leading carriers and kickers for the Wolfhounds. Ireland's Meabh Deely at the IRFU High Performance Centre. Photograph: INPHO/ Laszlo Geczo Meabh Deely Club: Blackrock/Connacht County: Galway Age: 24 Position: Fullback Deeley was one of six Irish debutantes during the Japan Test Series in 2022. A college student at the time, she had a rugby scholarship from Trinity College Dublin and is a Geoscience graduate. Ireland's Nancy McGillivray with her first cap after the game against Scotland in Cork. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Nancy McGillivray Club: Exeter Chiefs RFC County: IQ Age: 22 Position: Centre Irish-qualified McGillivray first played rugby in Hong Kong at eight years old, where she went on to be involved in both the 15s and Sevens sides. She now plays for Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership and was in the training camp for England for 2024/2025. Ireland's Ellena Perry applauds the fans after the game against Canada. Photograph: INPHO/ Ben Brady Ellena Perry Club: Gloucester Hartpury RFC County: IQ Age: 28 Position: Prop A late addition to the squad, Perry qualifies for Ireland through her maternal grandfather. She has 11 caps for England, the last earned in November 2020. Made her Ireland debut against Canada this month, replacing Niamh O'Dowd off the bench.
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Boost for Ireland as Aoife Wafer and Edel McMahon named in World Cup squad
Aoife Wafer and co-captain Edel McMahon have been named in the Ireland squad for the Rugby World Cup, however, Christy Haney misses out through injury. Six Nations player of the tournament Wafer underwent knee surgery last month but the back row has been included in the 32-player squad for Pool C games against Japan, Spain and New Zealand in England, starting on 24 August. Flanker McMahon missed both of Ireland's warm-up games with a knee injury but is also included. Prop Haney suffered a hamstring injury and her place is taken by Ellena Perry, who made her debut in Saturday's defeat to Canada in Belfast. Perry won 11 caps with England but hadn't lined out for the Red Roses since 2020 and is Irish-qualified via a grandparent. Similarly, centre Nancy McGillivray, whose father is Irish, makes the cut having switched from the England set-up recently. The Exeter player (below) scored on her international debut against Scotland nine days ago. Flanker Ivana Kiripati, who won caps against Scotland and Canada, also make the cut but there is no place for Deirbhile Nic a Bháird. There is one uncapped player in the squad with Munster hooker Beth Buttimer who impressed in the recent U20 Summer Series getting the call-up. Forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall had already been ruled out due to injuries picked up in the Six Nations. Head coach Scott Bemand said: "When we qualified for the Rugby World Cup in April 2024, we knew it gave us a solid amount of time to prepare for the tournament. "We have used that time to build depth and cultivate our 'Green Wave'. "The majority of this squad have now been together since the start of June, and we are excited to finally get going." The panel is made up of 18 forwards and 14 backs. McMahon, who shares the captaincy duties with Sam Monaghan, added: "Missing out on the last World Cup lit a fire in all of us. "Getting Ireland back on the world stage means absolutely everything, it's something we have dreamed of and fought for ever since. "We're ready, and we are going to give it everything for our country." Ireland RWC Squad: *Denotes uncapped Forwards: Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC / Ulster) (6) Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian / Munster)* Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster) (8) Eimear Corri Fallon (Blackrock RFC / Leinster) (6) Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster) (48) Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster) (34) Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury) (37) Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC / Connacht) (2) Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC / Munster) (9) Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC / Ulster) (16) Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs / Connacht) (34) Co-captain Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs) (45) Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby) (23) Co-captain Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women / IQ Rugby) (22) Niamh O'Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster) (17) Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby) (1) Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC / Ulster) (17) Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC / Leinster) (15) Backs: Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC / Munster) (31) Amee Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC / Munster) (19) Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster) (24) Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht) (14) Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC / Leinster) (20) Nicole Fowley (Galwegians / Connacht) (14) Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC / Leinster) (28) Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC / Munster) (17) Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC / Connacht) (11) Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs / IQ Rugby) (1) Dannah O'Brien (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster) (26) Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht) (28) Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC / Connacht) (16) Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawatū RFC / Leinster) (22)
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Edel McMahon and Christy Haney emerge as Ireland injury concerns ahead of World Cup
Ireland have been hit with another double injury blow ahead of the World Cup with co-captain Edel McMahon and Christy Haney unavailable for Saturday's final warm-up match against Canada. Head coach Scott Bemand will name his 32-woman squad for the tournament on Monday. Already without star forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, and with a big question mark over Aoife Wafer, Ireland can least afford to lose two more experienced forwards for the World Cup, which begins for Ireland against Japan on 24 August. Flanker McMahon, who has 34 caps, has been dealing with a knee issue, while 24-cap prop Haney has an hamstring injury. "Christy Haney (above) has picked up a bump, hamstring piece so that rules her out of consideration for this," Bemand told RTÉ Sport when asked if anyone was not considered for the game due to injury. "Other than that we are in pretty good health coming back from the Scotland game. "Obviously we've said that Aoife Wafer is tracking nicely but isn't at the point to be considered for this game but other than that, as a squad, we're in reasonable health." Asked specifically about co-captain McMahon, he replied: "Sorry, Tricky [Edel] as well. She's back on pitch and training and is doing a great job, bringing her leadership capabilities and setting the standard within straining as she always had. "This one probably comes a beat early but she's right on the cusp of being ready. There'll be a piece that she's in the mix but not quite yet. "Over the course of the summer we've just being managing a knee piece. She's back on pitch training with the group now and ramping up the training minutes." The Ireland team to face Canada in Belfast on Saturday at midday contains 10 changes to the team that beat Scotland last weekend. On new squad member Ellena Perry (above), who has switched from England, Bemand said of the prop: "Yeah, Elle Perry is known to some of our group with Gloucester-Hartpury. "She's previously represented the Rose Roses and has an Irish grandparent, so we've been able to utilise connections from before. "She hasn't played for England since 2020. She's a very good player. "She started both the PWR semi-final and final last year so in terms of capability [she's up there] and playing level. "She's been in for a couple of weeks now and she's hit the ground running. She's more than earned her place in and around the group. "The fit has been a seamless transition so she'll put her hand up."
