Fit-again Niamh O'Dowd to return but Béibhinn Parsons still out as ‘energised' Ireland set for Six Nations finale
Loosehead prop Niamh O'Dowd has been passed fit for Ireland's final game of the Women's Six Nations against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday [2.30pm kick-off]. O'Dowd was ruled out of Ireland's 40-14 win over Wales in Newport last Sunday with a shoulder injury that she picked up against England in round three.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ireland to face England in Women's Six Nations opener
Ireland face the toughest possible start to next year's Guinness Women's Six Nations, with Scott Bemand's side away to England in the opening round. The fixture list for the 2026 championship has been confirmed, with organisers rejigging the layout of games, while they have also pushed the championship back by three weeks. In previous seasons, the Women's Six Nations has immediately followed the men's championship, but the 2026 championship will now get under way on Saturday, 11 April. Additionally, all games will now take place on the same day as each other, with the first four rounds of games all set for Saturdays, while the final round will be a 'Super Sunday', on 17 May. Ireland face a tough start to their 2026 campaign, with away games against England and France among their opening three fixtures. They'll face England away from home in their opener on 11 April, with a 2.25pm kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, before hosting Italy on 18 April at 5.40pm. In round three, Bemand's side are away to France, with a late kick-off at 8.10pm Irish time on 25 April. After a fallow weekend, Ireland finish their championship with home games against Wales and Scotland, hosting Wales at 6.30pm on Saturday 9 May, before a 2.30pm start against the Scots on Sunday 17 May. The venues for Ireland's home games, and their away trip to France, are yet to be confirmed. 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations fixtures: England v Ireland; 11 April, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Ireland v Italy; 18 April, Venue TBC France v Ireland, 25 April, Venue TBC Ireland v Wales, 9 May, Venue TBC Ireland v Scotland, 17 May, Venue TBC
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Ireland face Thursday night France clash in 2026 Six Nations opener
Ireland will begin their 2026 Six Nations campaign with a first-ever Thursday night fixture in France. Andy Farrell's side, who finished third in the table in spring, will take on champions France on Thursday, 5 February with a 8.10pm Irish time kick-off. The switch was made to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, which takes place in Milan the following day. The Six Nations did not immediately confirm the venue for the game. Meanwhile, in another new development, there will be only one 'down week' in the tournament, as opposed to the usual two breaks. It will take place after round three. Originally announced in 2023, the removal of one break week is to help the alignment of the new global rugby calendar, which also sees the Women's Six Nations pushed back three weeks, starting in early April. Ireland's second game is at home to Italy on Saturday, 14 February and the 2023 and 2024 winners will be away to England in round three on 21 February. Following the break, Ireland host Wales on Friday, 6 March with a 8.10pm kick-off, while they round off their campaign with the first game of Super Saturday on 14 March. The final game of the Guinness Six Nations will see Les Bleus host England. "In 2025, nearly 130 million fans were watching coverage of the Guinness Men's Six Nations in home markets - a +6.30% increase compared to the previous year - and the set of fixtures for 2026 promises to keep fans hooked for five rounds of sporting entertainment," said tournament organisers. 2026 MEN'S SIX NATIONS FIXTURES Round 1 France v Ireland - Thursday, 5 February (8.10pm) Italy v Scotland - Saturday, 7 February (2.10pm) England v Wales - Saturday, 7 February (4.40pm) Round 2 Ireland v Italy - Saturday, 14 February (2.10pm) Scotland v England - Saturday, 14 February (4.40pm) Wales v France - Sunday, 15 Feburary (3.10pm) Round 3 England v Ireland - Saturday, 21 February (2.10pm) Wales v Scotland - Saturday, 21 February (4.40pm) France v Italy - Sunday, 22 February (3.10pm) Round 4 Ireland v Wales - Friday, 6 March (8.10pm) Scotland v France - Saturday, 7 March (2.10pm) Italy v England - Saturday, 7 March (4.40pm) Round 5 Ireland v Scotland - Saturday, 14 March (2.10pm) Wales v Italy - Saturday, 14 March (4.40pm) France v England - Saturday, 14 March (8.10pm)
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- RTÉ News
Italy rout woeful Wales in Women's Six Nations finale
Wales completed a miserable Women's Six Nations campaign with a record 44-12 defeat by Italy in Parma. Wales, who lost all five of their matches, led 12-10 at half-time but conceded 34 unanswered points in a one-sided second half. Kate Williams deservedly put Wales ahead with a try inside 10 minutes after relentless early pressure, but a converted try from Sofia Stefan and a penalty from Michela Sillari gave the hosts the advantage. Wales snatched that back just before the interval when prop Gwenllian Pyrs forced her way over, with Keira Bevan adding the conversion. It did not take long on the resumption for things to change, though, with a Sillari penalty nudging Italy back in front in the 49th minute, and from there things quickly went downhill for the visitors. Tries from Francesca Granzotto, Silvia Turani and Vittoria Minuzzi secured the bonus point, and Granzotto added a second before Aura Muzzo concluded the scoring after Natalia John had been sin-binned for a high tackle.
