Ireland's Breen relishing Australia challenge

Enya Breen was part of the Ireland side that finished third in the Women's Six Nations this year

Ireland's Enya Breen is relishing the chance to get "new opportunities" to play against some of the best sides in the world in their upcoming Test against Australia and October's WXV1 campaign.

Ireland face the Wallaroos at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Saturday before travelling to Vancouver for their WXV1 campaign, in which they will face New Zealand (30 September), Canada (5 October) and the USA (11 October).

Ireland won the inaugural WXV3 tournament in 2023 and earned promotion to the top tier of the new international rugby competition after finishing third in the Six Nations.

Munster centre Breen is excited for the challenges that come with playing high-level opposition on a consistent basis.

"It's a huge opportunity - if you want to put yourself in contention to be the best in the world you have to play the best, and we’re really excited to give it a crack," she said.

"We get used to playing the same five nations every year [in the Six Nations] so it's nice to get new opportunities to play against different styles, and that is what will make us better."

Ireland trying to 'build connections' across the pitch

Breen is part of a 35-strong squad that will be narrowed down to 30 by coach Scott Bemand before the trip to Canada and the 25-year-old believes she is in the best condition to stake a claim to be on the plane to Vancouver.

"I had a good pre-season, was worked hard and played the Interpros, so I felt that I have built nicely towards this campaign and can put my best foot forward."

There are 10 uncapped players in the squad, as well as five sevens players who have returned from the Olympics in Paris.

As a result, Breen explained that Ireland's focus before the Australia game has largely been on developing their own patterns of play.

"We've had a few new faces, which is normal at the start of a new campaign, so there are opportunities for everyone and the first few days have just been about building a connection," she said.

"Australia are a team that likes to play, so do we, but we're focusing on us and what we want to do.

"Whatever Australia throw at us we will have our own gameplan. We need to take our opportunities and use our attack as a weapon, as we use our defence as a weapon."