IRFU Unveils 37 Central Contracts to Boost Women's Rugby.

Posted 1 months ago

The Irish Rugby Football Union has introduced 37 central contracts for players in the Women's High Performance Programme as the Ireland Women's XVs and Sevens teams prepare for the 2024-25 season.

The Ireland Women's XV team will return to action on September 14, hosting Australia at Kingspan Stadium as part of Irish Rugby's 150th Anniversary celebrations.

Following that, Scott Bemand's squad will head to Vancouver for the WXV1 campaign this autumn and then focus on next season's Women's Six Nations and the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

Meanwhile, the Ireland Women's Sevens team, fresh from their Olympic debut in Paris, will resume training in mid-September in preparation for the HSBC SVNS Series, which begins in Dubai this November.

A Year of Significance Ahead

Gillian McDarby, Head of Women's Performance and Pathways, highlighted that this year is crucial for the Women's programme.

The XVs squad is gearing up for the Women's Rugby World Cup, while the Sevens squad aims to build on their recent success at the Paris Olympics. Developing depth in player resources is a key focus.

McDarby emphasized that aligning the squads is a major strength as they prepare for a busy schedule. Ongoing communication between Scott Bemand, Sevens coach Allan Temple-Jones, and the High Performance Staff ensures both teams are well-prepared for international success.

Ireland Women's Contracted Players [2024-25 season]:

Kathy Baker, Natasja Behan, Claire Boles, Ellen Boylan, Enya Breen, Megan Burns, Ruth Campbell, Hannah Clarke, Katie Corrigan, Aoife Dalton, Meabh Deely, Linda Djougang, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Kate Farrell McCabe, Alanna Fitzpatrick, Stacey Flood, Nicole Fowley, Clare Gorman, Katie Heffernan, Eve Higgins, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Lucinda Kinghan, Emily Lane, Amy Larn, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Dannah O'Brien, Robyn O'Connor, Niamh O'Dowd, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Fiona Tuite, Aoife Wafer, Katie Whelan.