Ireland hand out four new central contracts
Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilis Cahill were all involved in Ireland's Six Nations training squad this year
- Published
The Irish Rugby Football Union have awarded four new central contracts for the 2026-27 season.
Forwards Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilis Cahill have all been brought on to deals with the IRFU.
The quartet were involved in the wider squad for the Six Nations this year, while the latter made her Test debut against England in Twickenham during the championship.
Scott Bemand's side will have 31 centrally contracted players for the new campaign with Linda Djougang also returning among the number.
The veteran prop, who won her 50th cap during last year's World Cup, remained first-choice for the national side last season despite stepping away from the full-time programme to focus on other interests.
Ireland's WXV Global Series begins in September with a pair of home games.
They play USA in Dublin on 20 September, before hosting Japan on 27 September in Galway.
The latter opposition will play a second Test outside of the WXV window on 3 October before Ireland travel to South Africa for a pair of matches in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.
Ireland central contracts 2026-27
Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Ellen Boylan, Beth Buttimer, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Hannah Clarke, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang, Caitriona Finn, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Kate Jordan, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Emily Lane, Lucia Linn, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath, Aoibheann McGrath, Alana McInerney, Jane Neill, Dannah O'Brien, Robyn O'Connor, Beibhinn Parsons, Ailish Quinn, Aoibheann Reilly, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Whelan.