Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

18 April 2026; Linda Djougang of Ireland with supporters after the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Irish cornerstone Djougang back among French friends

It's nearly five years now since Linda Djougang, at the time a promising but inexperienced international, made the move over to France to join ASM Romagnat, the women's affiliate of Clermont Auvergne.

Rugby • 24 Apr

22 April 2026; Head coach Scott Bemand during an Ireland Women's Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Bemand: 'The group hasn't got ahead of itself'

Scott Bemand believes his team have earned the right to travel to France with confidence this week, but insists the group "hasn't got ahead of itself".

Rugby • 23 Apr

18 April 2026; Dorothy Wall of Ireland during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

One change for Ireland as Wall returns for France

Head coach Scott Bemand has made just one change to his side for Saturday's crucial Guinness Women's Six Nations clash away to France.

Rugby • 23 Apr

18 April 2026; Tadhg Beirne of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Benetton and Munster at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, Italy. Photo by Tim Rogers/Sportsfile

Beirne: Players 'can't be distracted' by coaching fallout

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne says he and his team-mates won't be distracted by the controversy surrounding the appointment of Roger Randle as the province's new assistant coach.

Rugby • 21 Apr

17 April 2026; Angus Bell of Ulster leaves the pitch with an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Leinster at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster hit hard by injuries ahead of crucial interpro

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has been left counting the cost of Friday's defeat to Leinster, with more than a quarter of last week's matchday squad now ruled out due to injury.

Rugby • 21 Apr

18 April 2026; Calvin Nash of Munster scores his side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Benetton and Munster at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, Italy. Photo by Tim Rogers/Sportsfile

Nash the latest to commit future to Munster

Calvin Nash is the latest Ireland international to secure his future with Munster after agreeing a new contract.

Rugby • 21 Apr

18 April 2026; Aoife Wafer of Ireland celebrates her side's victory in the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Wafer back to her destructive best ahead of French Test

Aoife Wafer has eyes on a first win against France since 2017, after she and Ireland dominated Italy in Galway on Saturday.

Rugby • 20 Apr

18 April 2026; Erin King of Ireland in team huddle before the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

'We owe them one' - Ireland ready for French rematch

Ireland will travel to France this week in search of "revenge" according to captain Erin King.

Rugby • 20 Apr

18 April 2026; Béibhinn Parsons of Ireland, 14, celebrates with teammates, Erin King, left, and Emily Lane after scoring her second try during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by

Bemand thrilled after 'significant' Irish improvement

Head coach Scott Bemand praised his team's ruthless streak as they picked up their first win in this year's Women's Six Nations championship, a 57-20 thrashing of Italy.

Rugby • 19 Apr

18 April 2026; Béibhinn Parsons Ireland celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's fifth try during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Ireland turn on the style to hammer Italy in Galway

Ireland produced a statement performance to get their Guinness Women's Six Nations up and running, with a sensational first half setting them on their way for a 57-20 win against Italy at Dexcom Stadium.

Rugby • 18 Apr