Ireland Women

The Ireland women’s national rugby union team represents Ireland in international women’s rugby union competitions such as the Women’s Six Nations Championship and the Women’s Rugby World Cup. They have also represented Ireland in the FIRA Women’s European Championship. Ireland won the 2013 and 2015 Women’s Six Nations Championships. In 2013 they also achieved both a Triple Crown and Grand Slam. They finished fourth in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup after defeating New Zealand in the pool stages. Ireland hosted the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The team was originally organised by the Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union. However, since 2009 it has been organised by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

EARLY YEARS

The Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union was established in 1991. Ireland made their international debut on 14 February 1993 with an away friendly against Scotland. This was also Scotland’s first international. The match was played at Raeburn Place in front of a crowd of over 1,000. The Ireland team was coached by Alain Rolland while the Scotland coaches included Sandy Carmichael. Scotland won 10–0 with two tries from their captain, Sandra Colamartino.

Ireland’s first captain was Jill Henderson. A year later, on 13 February 1994, Ireland made their home international debut when a return match was played at Ravenhill. This time Scotland won 5–0. In 2001 the IWRFU became affiliated to the Irish Rugby Football Union, in 2008 it effectively merged with the IRFU and since 2009 the IRFU has managed the women’s national team.