Head Coach Scott Bemand has confirmed his Ireland Women's XVs coaching team for the upcoming Test match against Australia in Belfast and the WXV1 campaign in Vancouver.
After guiding Ireland to a third-place finish and qualification for Rugby World Cup 2025 during his first Guinness Women's Six Nations in charge, Bemand leads the team into an important year ahead, starting with Irish Rugby's 150th Anniversary Test match against the Wallaroos on Saturday, 14 September.
Bemand will be assisted by former England international Alex Codling, who joins the set up as forwards coach, while Hugh Hogan has been named as defence coach and Gareth Steenson comes in as kicking coach.
Both Codling and Hogan bring a wealth of experience, joining Denis Fogarty who continues in his role as scrum coach for a third season, while Steenson will be an invaluable asset to Ireland's kickers having called time on his illustrious playing and coaching career with Exeter Chiefs at the end of last season.
Former second row Codling was most recently head coach at Newcastle Falcons, while Hogan has built up an impressive coaching CV having held previous senior roles with Leinster, Scarlets and Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo.
In addition, former Ireland international and Grand Slam winner Maz Reilly links up with Bemand's squad as a World Rugby Coach Intern.
Bemand will name his extended Ireland Women's squad for the upcoming Test against the Wallaroos on Wednesday, 28 August, before the group assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday, 2 September.
Bemand said: "Alex, Hugh and Gareth have been working with the Women's High Performance Programme at the High Performance Centre in recent weeks and have settled in well, bringing fresh energy and focus to the group as we prepare for our opening match of the season and the WXV campaign in Canada this Autumn.
"It is also exciting to have Maz on board with us, having been a stalwart in the green jersey during her playing days and shown huge coaching potential in her role with Leinster in recent seasons."
The IRFU also confirmed John McKee will move into a new role within the Women's High Performance Programme, with a strong focus on coach development in the Women’s XV Pathway, developing the curriculum for the Women’s National Talent Squad programme and to develop further depth within the playing pool for Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond.
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