Ireland have been given a boost ahead of their Women's Six Nations campaign with head coach Scott Bemand signing a contract extension to stay in the hot seat until the 2029 Rugby World Cup.
Bemand has been in charge since August 2021, spearheading a period of improvement.
Under Bemand, Ireland won the inaugural WXV3 tournament in Dubai, finished third in the Guinness Women's Six Nations to automatically qualify for 2025 World Cup in England and then recorded a famous victory over New Zealand at WXV1 in Vancouver to finish second in that tournament.
At last year's World Cup, Ireland made it to the quarter-finals following pool victories over Spain and Japan before being edged out by France in Exeter.
The side has risen to number five in the world rankings.
"It is a great privilege to sign on for another Rugby World Cup cycle with the IRFU and reaffirm my commitment and belief in the squad and programme moving forward," said Bemand.
"We have made positive progress in recent years but we know there is more to come from our group and are excited to build on the foundations we have laid.
"There's a strong work ethic, determination and belief within the playing squad and staff, and I'm committed to building on that as we aim to compete at the highest level, starting with the upcoming Guinness Women's Six Nations which gives us an opportunity to push ourselves further on the biggest Test stage."
Ireland start their Six Nations away to England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, 11 April before hosting Italy at Dexcom Stadium a week later.
The newly-renovated home of Connacht Rugby will play host to its first Women’s Six Nations match, with the Ireland Women’s only previous appearance in Galway being a 15-8 victory over Canada in April 2006.
Bemand’s charges then travel to France on Saturday, 25 April and wrap up the championship with back-to-back home games against Wales in Belfast (Affidea Stadium) and Scotland in Dublin (Aviva Stadium).
The Scottish encounter will be the first-ever standalone women’s international at the Aviva.
