Michael Glennon

RTÉ Sport Journalist

Ireland women training Franklin's Gardens pre Japan

Ireland sample Gardens with 'positive' Wafer update

Ireland completed their preparations for their opening Women's Rugby World Cup clash against Japan with a training session at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton on Saturday morning.

Rugby • 24 Aug

9 August 2025; Ruth Campbell of Ireland during the Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Canada at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Bemand delighted with Campbell's 'raw edge'

Ruth Campbell's "edgy physicality" is one of the reasons she's earned a starting spot in Ireland opening World Cup clash against Japan on Sunday, according to Scott Bemand.

Rugby • 23 Aug

6 August 2025; Shannon Ikahihifo during an Ireland Women Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ireland squad issue message of support for Ikahihifo

Ireland captain Edel McMahon has issued a message of support to Shannon Ikahihifo who announced that she is fighting cancer.

Rugby • 22 Aug

26 April 2025; Edel McMahon of Ireland in action during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Paul Devlin/Sportsfile

McMahon returns as Ireland make four changes for Japan

Co-captain Edel McMahon has been passed fit and takes her place in the team to face Japan for Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener in Northampton on Sunday.

Rugby • 22 Aug

26 April 2025; Brittany Hogan of Ireland in action during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Paul Devlin/Sportsfile

Wall backs 'underrated' Hogan to step up for Ireland

Brittany Hogan doesn't get the credit she deserves, and talk of a "back row crisis" in the Ireland team has been overstated, according to Dorothy Wall.

Rugby • 22 Aug

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: A general view of the Women's Rugby World Cup trophy during an England Red Roses Community Event at Seaburn Beach on August 20, 2025 in Sunderland, England. England play the USA in the opening match of Rugby World Cup Engl

England expects as Ireland aim to make World Cup impact

The Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off this evening with hosts England overwhelming favourites to claim a third title and a first since 2014, while Ireland are aiming to make an impression of their own.

Rugby • 22 Aug

14 August 2025; Stacey Flood poses for a portrait during an Ireland Women Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Flood: We can't be afraid of what people think of us

Ireland full-back Stacey Flood insists the team will embrace the pressure that comes with a higher profile in the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 21 Aug

27 March 2025; Aoife Wafer during an Ireland Women's Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Wafer set to join Ireland squad at weekend

Ireland held their first full training session just outside Northampton today but injured back row Aoife Wafer is continuing her rehab in Dublin.

Rugby • 20 Aug

9 August 2025; Aoife Dalton of Ireland before the Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Canada at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Dalton proud of roots as Ireland gear up for World Cup

Centre Aoife Dalton is about to move centre stage when Ireland make their first appearance at a World Cup in eight years and the Offaly native is thankful to those who helped her along the way.

Rugby • 19 Aug

O'Brien 'happy enough here' with no England plans

Ireland out-half Dannah O'Brien has no plans switch to the Premiership Women's Rugby league in England declaring she is "happy" where she is.

Rugby • 16 Aug