Scott Bemand says Aoife Wafer will be given every chance to make the Ireland World Cup squad as the star forward battles back from a knee injury.
The 22-year-old had an operation for a MCL (medial cruciate ligament) injury three weeks ago and has been ruled out of two upcoming warm-up games and the opening stages of the tournament in England.
Already without influential forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, Bemand is prepared to name Wafer in the squad on 11 August in order to be able to call upon the Wexford woman for the last Pool C game, against New Zealand on 7 September, and knockout stage if they progress.
Yesterday, scrum coach Denis Fogarty said that Wafer hadn't been ruled out "yet" but they were confident she would play some part.
Head coach Bemand, whose side take on Scotland in Cork on Saturday, was asked about the 2025 Six Nations player of the tournament’s progression.
"There's a lot of questions around Aoife at the minute," the Englishman told RTÉ Sport.
"You want your best players, you want players that can impact on the world stage, fit and available.
"Unfortunately, back from the Six Nations, the Doro incident and Erin, you know, but that's rugby that can happen.
"We've got an enormous amount of talent coming through who have been a big part of the pre-season campaign so far.
"She's tracking to put her name in the hat, along with everybody else.
"She's tracking to be available [for the squad announcement], which is everything we planned.
"The medics are all over this one.
"We feel we've got a really strong plan in place to get her back on the pitch.
"People want to see her play. We want to see her play. We think we're tracking towards that."
Meanwhile, Bemand also revealed that Johnny Sexton, who becomes a full-time IRFU employee tomorrow but is currently with the Lions in Australia, won’t come on board with the squad ahead of the World Cup, which also sees Ireland take on Japan (24 August) and Spain (31 August) in their opening pool fixtures.
"As part of his expanded coaching role, he will work with the various Men’s and Women’s national age-grade teams up to senior level," said the IRFU when the former Ireland out-half, the Six Nations top points-scorer, was announced as a full-time coach in April.
However, Bemand says he is satisfied that Gareth Steenson, the former Exeter out-half, can cover all the kicking coaching duties.
"Actually, we've already got a plan in place," said Bemand, who led Ireland to WXV3 success in 2023 and a second-place finish at WXV1 in 2024.
"We've had Gareth Steenson involved for a good while now.
"So Steeno is all over owning the kicking piece within the women's programmes, within the WXV program for now.
"So no, we at this point that role is being fulfilled with Gareth Steenson."
Scotland, who won the Six Nations clash in the springtime, are first up for Ireland in the warm-ups, with Canada, ranked two in the world, the opposition on Saturday week in Belfast.
Ireland have been in camp since June and Bemand (below) says they can’t wait to take preparations up a level.
"It's the right time. We need to play a different shirt now," he said after naming debutants Ivana Kiripati and Nancy McGillivray in his team.
"All the hard work, what the pre seasons mean to people?
"Well, they feel a bit uncomfortable, don't they, and you've got to get a certain amount of work in the bank.
"So, yeah, we're ready, ready to put it on the page already, without air and authority.
Meanwhile, the game will mark an emotional return to action for captain Sam Monaghan (below).
The Meath woman last played in the PWR final for Gloucester-Hartpury in summer of 2024 and has endured an injury nightmare since.
The list includes ACL, calf and hamstring issues, while she had previously missed games through concussion.
The 32-year-old lock forward, who will win her 22nd cap, said: "It was really emotional seeing my name on the team-sheet again, not only for me but for my family, team-mates, everyone who’s been on the journey with me, physios, S&Cs.
"It’s been a long road, a lot longer than I thought it would be.
"Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel was very special but it’s given me chances.
"I missed out on the Six Nations but I got the chance to sit out in the crowd, so I got to be part of that and see how powerful the girls’ performances are on the pitch.
"Hopefully I can add value on Saturday after what they’ve built over the last couple of years.
"It’s been a great year for us, yeah, we didn’t finish the Six Nations the way we wanted but I feel like we’ve had a really strong pre-season and we’re really excited for Saturday."
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