Ireland Women's Rugby Team Faces France in Six Nations Opener

As Ireland prepares to face France in their opening match of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations in Belfast, expectations are high following a promising trajectory under coach Scott Bemand. The team has shown significant improvement, highlighted by their qualification for the World Cup and a notable victory over New Zealand in the WXV1 tournament. Defence coach Hugh Hogan emphasized the importance of key moments in the game and expressed confidence in the squad's capabilities, stating that they aim to challenge France more effectively than in last year's defeat. With a blend of experienced athletes and exciting newcomers, Ireland hopes to secure a strong performance against a formidable French side, which they have not beaten in the Six Nations since 2017. The match represents a critical step in building momentum towards the World Cup later this year. Overall, the Irish team enters the championship with renewed optimism and confidence based on their recent successes.