6 days ago
Scott Bemand names 37-player preparation squad ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has named a 37-player preparation squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England later this summer.
There are two uncapped players in the squad with Bemand selecting Alma Atagamen and Ivan Kiripati. Following impressive debuts in the Guinness Women's Six Natinos against Scotland Jane Clohessy and Aoife Corey have been rewarded with selection for the preparation squad.
Sam Monaghan, Beibhinn Parsons, Sarah Delaney, Eimear Corri and Shannon Ikahihifo all make their return to the squad after missing the WXV1 and Six Nations campaigns through injury.
Bemand may add additional players in the coming weeks. The team will meet up at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday June 2 to undertake a series of camps before their two warm-up games against Scotland and Canada in August.
Speaking on his preparation squad selection Bemand said 'We're excited to come back together as a group refreshed, recharged, and ready to build towards what promises to be a huge few months.
"The competition for places in the final World Cup squad will be fierce, and I know the players will embrace that challenge.
'There's great continuity within the squad, with many of the group having come through WXV1 last September, but we've also brought in some young talent who are hungry to make their mark. Now it's about putting in the hard work. We've got a valuable block of time ahead to prepare, and we're looking forward to the opportunity to test ourselves in front of home support in Cork and Belfast this August.'
James Scaysbrook joins Bemands coaching team as defence coach alongside Denis Fogarty (Scrum Coach), Alex Codling (Forwards Coach) and Gareth Steenson (Kicking Coach).
Former Bath and Exeter Chiefs flanker Scaysbrook has transitioned into coaching following his playing career. He coached in Hong Kong and Japan before joining the England U20s as Defence Coach. He joined Coventry RFC in 2020 and now is linking up with the Ireland Women's Coaching team.
Ireland Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Preparation Squad
Forwards:
Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC)*
Aoife Wafer (Leinster)
Brittany Hogan (Ulster)
Christy Haney (Leinster)
Clíodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs)
Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Munster)
Edel McMahon (Connacht)
Eimear Corri (Leinster)
Fiona Tuite (Ulster)
Grace Moore (IQ Rugby)
Ivana Kiripati (Connacht)*
Jane Clohessy (Munster)
Linda Djougang (Leinster)
Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury)
Niamh O'Dowd (Leinster)
Ruth Campbell (Leinster)
Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster)
Sam Monaghan (IQ Rugby)
Sarah Delaney (Leinster)
Shannon Ikahihifo (IQ Rugby)
Siobhán McCarthy (Munster)
Backs:
Amee-Leigh Costigan (Munster)
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)
Aoibheann Reilly (Connacht)
Aoife Corey (Munster)
Aoife Dalton (Leinster)
Béibhinn Parsons (Connacht)
Dannah O'Brien (Leinster)
Emily Lane (Munster)
Enya Breen (Munster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Katie Corrigan (Leinster)
Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster)
Nicole Fowley (Connacht)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)
Training Panellist:
Méabh Deely (Connacht)
*denotes uncapped
