Ireland Names 32-Player Squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup in England

Ireland's 32-player squad for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England has been finalized by head coach Scott Bemand, with the team featuring notable inclusions such as Ivana Kiripati, Aoibheann Reilly, and former England players Nancy McGillivray and Ellena Perry. The squad includes seven Connacht players, with Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan appointed as co-captains, embodying the team's 'Green Wave' spirit as they prepare to face Japan, Spain, and New Zealand in Pool A. Kiripati and Reilly have overcome significant challenges, including injuries, to secure their places, while McMahon emphasized the team's determination to make their nation proud following their return to the World Cup stage since 2017. Although injuries have sidelined players like Erin King and Dorothy Wall, Bemand expressed satisfaction with the squad's depth and competitiveness demonstrated in recent warm-up matches. The team has been training together since June and is motivated by the disappointment of missing the last World Cup, fueling their commitment to perform strongly in the tournament. Ireland's campaign begins against Japan on August 24 at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton.