Irish Rugby

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Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

The build-up to Beibhinn Parsons' first Women's Rugby World Cup has been, to put it mildly, less than ideal.

This time last year, the 23-year-old wing broke her leg while representing Ireland Sevens in the Paris Olympics.

As a result, Parsons missed Ireland XV's memorable WXV1 campaign, which included an enthralling 29-27 win over world champions New Zealand.

A week on from making her comeback, Parsons suffered a second leg break while playing in the World SVNS Series leg in Cape Town in December, ruling her out of the 2025 Women's Six Nations and putting her World Cup hopes in doubt.

But the speedy Connacht back recovered in time to make Scott Bemand's squad and will make her World Cup debut against Japan on Sunday.

"It's been a tough year, but I'm one of the lucky ones where the timing worked out," Parsons told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm thinking of all the girls that are injured now. It's difficult for them to miss out on a World Cup. It's funny, you think things aren't going your way but I've been lucky enough to have enough time to recover and make the squad."

Still only 23, Parsons is one of the most experienced players in the Ireland squad after making her debut aged 16.

With Ireland having failed to qualify for the last tournament, the Galway native says she is ready to make her mark on the biggest stage.

"I've been waiting a long time to see what it's all about," said Parsons.

"Already with our opening ceremony and how we got welcomed into the airport, you realise that this is a level up. They've put so much funding and support behind this, so it's really exciting."

While Ireland are without Erin King and Dorothy Wall for the tournament and Aoife Wafer for the Japan game at least, Parsons feels the "sky's the limit" for Bemand's side in England.

"When we show our best and put that on the world stage, I really think we can be world beaters. We have no limits on this team, we have no ceilings. We just can't wait to get going."

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Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon says the squad are behind Shannon Ikahihifo after the forward revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

New Zealand-born Ikahihifo, who has won three Ireland caps, was part of the training squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup but was not selected in the final panel for the tournament.

In a post on Instagram on Friday, the 30-year-old Trailfinders player said: "Crazy to think that one day you can be running around on the rugby pitch feeling completely fine, then five days later you're sitting in a hospital room being told you have cancer.

"Still a little in shock if I'm honest, but I'm so blessed to have the most amazing husband, family, and friends that always carry when things start to feel a bit heavy.

"Fair to say she's been a pretty tough few weeks. But lucky we're tougher."

Speaking on Friday, after the Ireland team for Sunday's Pool C opener against Japan was named, McMahon praised Ikahihifo for sharing her news.

"We found out as a group a little bit earlier than everyone else heard, but we respected Shannon's space that she wanted to deal with this herself and even get to terms with what the news entirely is," said McMahon.

"A credit to her to be so brave to come out. It would be very easy to fall into the background and not say anything and not raise awareness herself."

McMahon added: "I know Breast Cancer Awareness is actually happening next month, but the full group are here to support her and we're all thinking of her.

"But at the same time, she's so selfless in that she didn't want to distract from rugby itself and all of the good work that's going on for World Rugby and this campaign.

"She was like, 'I don't want it to be about me', but that's Shannon to a T. The squad are definitely thinking of her and we're here to support her whatever that looks like."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Co-captain Edel McMahon is confident that Ireland's lack of World Cup experience will not "shake" the squad as they prepare to face Japan in their opening game.

Having failed to qualify in 2021, hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is the only player with World Cup experience in the Ireland squad, with five appearances in the 2017 tournament.

But McMahon, who is set to win her 35th cap on Sunday, says the squad have been using the experience of Sevens players such as Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan, who represented Ireland at last year's Paris Olympics.

"To be honest, we did speak about that when we first came in for pre-season," said back row McMahon, who has recovered from injury to start against Japan.

"But we also have girls who have been at the Olympics, being at the biggest world stage you can imagine into sport, so tapping into those headspaces like Leigh, Stacey and all the girls, they all have different experiences of what it's like to play on the world stage.

"We definitely spoke about it as a group but you just don't feel like it shakes this group. It doesn't feel like it's the first World Cup for these girls, they just take it in their stride. It's cool to see that headspace and mentality that they have."

While the playing group is almost entirely shorn of World Cup experience, head coach Scott Bemand was part of England's backroom team at the past two tournaments.

"I've lived through a couple, and I've certainly brought a lot with me from the last two events in Ireland and New Zealand," said Bemand, who took over as Ireland boss in 2023.

"I think that's helped shape our preparation, how we think about this opportunity. Yes, there will be bits that feel a bit different, but it's a test match: there's a pitch, there's a ball, we know what we're capable of.

"The playing group seem excited, as a coaching group we're excited."

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Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland full-back Stacey Flood believes backing from home will be a "really important" factor at the World Cup in England.

The side missed out on the global showpiece three years ago in New Zealand but have steadily rebuilt in the intervening period with results showing real improvement after head coach Scott Bemand was appointed in July 2023.

With Ireland's campaign beginning against Japan at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, the tournament will bring another level of attention.

"I feel like having eyes on women's rugby and our team is never going to be a bad thing," said Flood of the potential for added pressure.

"We want the Irish people behind us, we want to have the support of everyone.

"This is going to be such a major pedestal for women's rugby that I think this is going to change the game, this whole tournament, and I think it's really important to get eyes on that."

Ireland, who will also face Spain and New Zealand in Pool C, will attempt to focus on their own strengths rather than those of the opposition said Flood.

"Japan, I feel like everything they do, they're so diligent and, I feel like they might not be the biggest team, but they're so skilful.

"They're really good jackal threats and I think we know what they're good at, but it's also just about bringing it back to our squad and what our strengths are, not playing too much to the opposition but focussing on what we can do in the green jersey."

Image source, Getty Images

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland's opening Women's Rugby World Cup match against Japan as she continues her comeback from knee surgery.

The 2025 Women's Six Nations player of the tournament underwent a procedure last month which caused her to miss Ireland's warm-up games against Scotland and Canada and she has not yet travelled to England with her team-mates.

The 22-year-old back row was named in head coach Scott Bemand's squad last week but is not fit enough to feature against Japan on Sunday (12:00 BST) and has remained in Dublin to work on her recovery.

As per the rules of the competition, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) had to inform World Rugby that Wafer had not departed with the squad as players cannot return home during the tournament window to treat injuries as it would be viewed as unfair on those squads who have greater distances to travel.

Following their opener in Franklin's Gardens, Ireland face Spain on 31 August and back-to-back world champions New Zealand on 7 September in their other Pool C games and the side's assistant coach Larissa Muldoon confirmed that Wafer will join the team next week "in preparation looking into Spain".

Co-captain Edel McMahon, who also did not feature in either of Ireland's warm-up fixtures, is with the squad and according to Muldoon "came through training" on Tuesday and Wednesday with no issues.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to fellow back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.

Muldoon, however, has confidence in Ireland's depth at the position.

"People forget the like of Claire Boles have come back in, Ivana Kiripati has come through the under-20s pathway," added the former international scrum-half.

"[We have] amazing players coming through and giving us that element of competition in our training environment and identity."

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Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds

Flanker Claire Boles says Ireland must "start faster" in their World Cup opener against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.

Scott Bemand's side had one win and one defeat in their two warm-up fixtures before the tournament but were noticeably slow off the mark in both.

They were 14-0 down against Scotland in Cork before coming back to win, then left themselves far too much to do in a 47-26 loss to Canada in Belfast after falling 33-7 behind.

Boles feels Ireland can "work on" making faster starts but believes the improvement against Canada in the second half at least showed the team's ability to adapt to challenges.

"It is definitely a mentality thing," she said.

"We can train that as well, so we're looking at that too.

"Especially the first game, you have to be off the blocks so we're definitely looking at that."

While Scotland and Wales, as well as France and Italy, have been paired together in the pool stages, Ireland are the only Six Nations side in their group which also includes New Zealand and Spain.

Boles, however, says Ireland are familiar with Japan from their tour to the country in 2022.

"They're a fast team, they're very disciplined. We know if they get their discipline right and get their structure, they're a good side," she said.

"I think we like the group. We've played New Zealand before [in WXV1 in November, Spain in WXV3 the year before that and went to Japan as well.

"So we have played them. You don't play them every single year, but it's not like we're going in there fresh."

Image source, Inpho

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds

Wing Amee Leigh Costigan says Ireland will be out to begin their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign on "the right foot" against Japan on Sunday.

Scott Bemand's side will kick off Pool C in what will be their first World Cup game in eight years after missing out on the tournament in New Zealand in 2022.

Ireland will also face Spain and New Zealand with the meeting against the world champions, who they beat in November during WXV1, figuring to be key.

Costigan, however, says all focus is on Japan.

"I see it as a huge opportunity for us," said Costigan.

"At the moment, all our eyes are set on Japan. It's the first game and we really want to go in there and put our best performance out.

"You want to start off on the right foot and I think that's what's important to us now."

Ireland lost their final warm-up against Canada in Belfast but the 30-year-old Costigan, who was an Olympian with the sevens side in Paris last year, believes the game against the side ranked number two in the world was good preparation.

While the hosts started slowly, and were 33-7 behind at half-time, they were much improved after the turn in the 47-26 reverse.

"We put it up to them for a lot of that game and put them under pressure at times, which is really good to see," said Costigan.

"We'll be striving for that 80-minute performance against Japan. It'll be something that we will really hone in on, how we start off the game.

"It's really important, you know, to not be putting ourselves under that much pressure."

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ulster's Paige Smyth believes running the Women's Interprovincial Championship alongside the World Cup will give others opportunities to impress.

The winger made her first start for her province on Sunday in their 37-21 loss to holders Leinster in Dublin.

Being handed the number 11 jersey for the clash marked another impressive landmark in the transition between sports for Smyth who is also an All-Ireland junior GAA winner with her native Down.

The 2025 edition of the interpros has a slightly different feel, with provinces forced into changes with many star names called up to the Ireland squad for the World Cup that starts this month in England.

Ulster will be without four big names with Claire Boles, Brittany Hogan, Sadhbh McGrath and Fiona Tuite all called up to Scott Bemand's panel for the tournament they begin on Sunday, 24 August against Japan in Northampton.

Despite missing their obvious talent, Smyth sees it as a chance for others to shine when give opportunities.

"You know, the Ulster girls that are involved with the Ireland set-up, they're a massive loss to us obviously," she said told BBC Sport NI.

"But I think it can be a positive opportunity too because it means it's a chance for other players that aren't contracted. I think if we look at it that way it can be positive."

Ulster, who face Connacht in Galway on Saturday, will play their final group game against Munster just one day before the Irish World Cup campaign kicks off, while the championship's play-off round is scheduled to take place 24 hours before the national side face Spain in their second pool fixture.

While the eyes of many will be fixated on the events and happenings at the global showpiece, Smyth believes the increased exposure will help the women's game across the board.

"The more coverage the better. I think for women's sport specifically, the more that's shown, the more that's put out there, the better it is for the sport because the women are putting in as much hard work and training and the set-up and what they're doing," she said,

"So it's nice to have something to show for it as well and to get more support and more people watching."

Ulster's trip to the Dexacom Stadium on Saturday (16:15 BST) features two sides looking to bounce back from opening-round defeats.

The Westerners also lost their first game of the campaign with a thumping 44-5 defeat at Munster.

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Ireland captain Sam Monaghan says she was "really proud" of her side's second-half performance in their 47-26 defeat to Canada in Belfast.

In their final warm-up game before the Women's Rugby World Cup, Ireland recovered from conceding five first-half tries to score three of their own after the break.

And while they ultimately lost by 21 points, Monaghan was happy with their response after a tough opening half.

"I think our discipline let us down in the first half, but we've been put in situations in this game that we've needed to go forward so I'm really proud of our second-half performance," Monaghan told BBC Sport NI's Orla Bannon.

"We needed to be more physical. We didn't have much ball in the first half, so we needed to keep it.

"And again, just be really clean around the ruck and keep our discipline going forward but I think we really flipped that on it's head in the second half."

Head coach Scott Bemand made 10 changes from the side that fought back to beat Scotland last weekend but there was no heroic comeback this week against the number two ranked side in the world.

With Bemand starting to mould his starting team for their opening World Cup match with Japan in two weeks' time, attention now turns to Monday's squad announcement.

"Everyone that's been involved has gotten us to this point," Monaghan added.

"I wish everyone could get on the plane, but I have to say it's a squad effort and it's tough.

"I think we've become really connected as a group, so it makes that a lot more tough when girls aren't on the plane but hopefully, we can do them proud over there."