Irish Rugby

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Ireland hooker Neve Jones believes there is "no ceiling" for her side as they prepare for the start of the Rugby World Cup next month.

Scott Bemand's side will face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C in the tournament in England.

Jones, who was part of the Irish side that failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2021, has urged her side to show up on the big stage as they look to progress out of the group stage.

"We've been on an incredible journey, from coming last in the Six Nations two years ago to the World Cup, but the coaching staff and players we've all bought into everything," she told BBC Sport.

"We are all on the same page and we want to strive for excellence. There's no ceiling for us and it's about showing up and putting in performances."

Jones, who featured in Saturday's 27-21 win over Scotland, has picked up three winners' medals in three years at Gloucester-Hartpury since making the switch from Malone in 2022.

She is pleased that she has been able to enjoy an upturn of results with Ireland after some tough years playing for her country that coincided with sustained success at club level.

"I would have really good seasons at Gloucester and then to come here and pull on the green jersey is something you are proud to do, but it was a difficult time for sure," she added.

"We knew what we wanted to do in Ireland, it was just a matter of how we go from not playing so well to building every block to get better, which we have done."

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

Tadhg Beirne said being named British and Irish Lions player of the series after defeat by Australia in Saturday's final Test was "bittersweet".

Beirne's place on the team for the first Test had been questioned in some quarters, but the Munster forward was instrumental in helping the Lions secure a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies.

Although Joe Schmidt's side won the final Test in Sydney to salvage some pride, the spoils went to the Lions as Andy Farrell masterminded the series win thanks to their earlier victories in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Irish flanker Beirne said he was unsure whether he would make the team for the opening Test, which the Lions won 27-19, but he grabbed his opportunity and comes away as one of the stars of the tour.

"It's a massive honour but more about the series win for me," he said.

"It's a bittersweet moment. It's a class moment we've won the series, but we've lost tonight.. but as Faz [head coach Andy Farrell] said, we'll get over it because we've won the series.

"I was unsure whether Faz was going to pick me, so when you see your name on the board, I knew it was an opportunity for me, but if I didn't play well he would take me out just as quick as he put me in. I needed to step up, as did all of the players, and we did that."

There is not a lot the 33-year-old has not experienced on a rugby pitch, but Saturday's 22-12 win for Australia did throw up a first for Beirne, with the game suspended for 40 minutes because of lightning in the vicinity of Stadium Australia.

"It was just a bit strange," said the Munster player.

"I've never experienced anything like that, so it was a bit of the unknown. You're told it's going to be 45 minutes so you try to relax a bit before getting back up and then all of a sudden it's seven minutes and you're switching on to try and focus the mind again.

"I've never experienced that before, but I have now and will know what to expect the next time."

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Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland v Scotland

Venue: Musgrave Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app

Ireland captain Sam Monaghan will return to international duty in the side's World Cup warm-up against Scotland in Cork on Saturday.

The Gloucester-Hartpury lock has been out of action since June 2024 when she suffered a serious knee injury representing her club.

Calf and hamstring injuries then delayed her comeback but she will start in the second row for Scott Bemand's side.

Beibhinn Parsons provides another boost with the wing back in the side after missing the Six Nations thanks to the broken leg she sustained in December.

Eimear Corri-Fallon, who joins Monaghan in the second row, also returns after 12 months out.

There are three uncapped players in the squad with back row Ivana Kiripati and centre Nancy McGillivray set to win first caps from the start, while Ailish Quinn will do so if called upon as a replacement.

In what is a six-two split on the bench, there is plenty of forward experience around Quinn with Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird also held in reserve.

Ireland are, however, without influential forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, who have both been ruled out of the World Cup, and star back row Aoife Wafer who has not given up hope of being fit for the tournament.

The game against Scotland is the first of Ireland's two warm-up fixtures before the World Cup. They will also face Canada in Belfast on 9 August.

At the tournament in England, held between 22 August and 27 September, Bemand's side are in a pool with Spain, Japan and New Zealand.

Ireland: Meabh Deely; Beibhinn Parsons, Nancy McGillivray, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Siobhan McCarthy, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Sam Monaghan (captain), Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati, Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Ailish Quinn, Emily Lane, Enya Breen.

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Ireland are determined to "leave a legacy" and contribute to the growth of Irish women's rugby at this year's World Cup, says Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald.

After failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament, Ireland return to the biggest stage for the first time in eight years off the back of an encouraging third-place finish in this year's Six Nations.

Developing the women's game in Ireland is one of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s key strategic priorities.

"The overall plan and strategy is about growing the game in Ireland," said Moloney-MacDonald.

"That's always in the back of our minds. When we travel over to England, the lucky ones that get to go, we want to bring the support with us but we also want to leave a legacy from this World Cup, in terms of performance and how we are supported by the Irish people."

Exeter Chiefs hooker Moloney-MacDonald, one of Ireland's most experienced players, was previously critical of the IRFU's handling of the women's game, which led to her exile from the international squad.

She has, however, praised the positive changes overseen by Scott Bemand, who took over as head coach in 2023 and recalled Moloney-MacDonald during the 2024 Six Nations.

And Moloney-MacDonald, who made her Ireland debut in 2015, believes the World Cup could prove critical in driving support for the team.

"It's been thrown around a lot, like a game-changing moment for women's rugby," she added.

"But I do really think with the amount of support that's in and around this part of the world for women's rugby it'll be a point in time we'll look back on and say 'that's where the tide turned' and support really got ploughed in for everyone this side of the world, particularly for rugby and the growth of the game."

Ireland host Scotland in Cork on Saturday and welcome Canada to Belfast on 9 August in their two World Cup warm-up games, with both matches being shown live on the BBC.

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Ireland are "quite confident" injured back row Aoife Wafer will "play some part" in the Women's Rugby World Cup, says scrum coach Denis Fogarty.

The 2025 Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship - who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the World Cup - emerged as a doubt for the tournament earlier this month after undergoing knee surgery.

The 22-year-old flanker is set to miss Ireland's warm-up games against Scotland on Saturday and Canada on 9 August, while it is unclear if she will regain fitness in time for the Pool C opener against Japan on 24 August.

Ireland also face Spain on 31 August and holders New Zealand on 7 September in their pool.

"She's got a procedure done so she's definitely not ruled out of the World Cup yet," said Fogarty on Wafer.

"We're taking it week by week in terms of when her return to play is, but she's not ruled out of the World Cup anyway."

When pressed if Wafer was in a race against time to recover in time for the tournament in England, Fogarty responded: "No, we're quite confident that she will play some part in the World Cup, which is really, really pleasing.

"At the moment she's tracking really well. It's just making sure it's right for her when she comes back into it."

Ireland have been hit by injury setbacks in the build-up to the World Cup, with forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall ruled out.

"There's no doubt about it, losing three key players like that has been difficult," added Fogarty.

"But that's the nature of the game. We've had Sam [Monaghan] coming back in, which is a big addition for us and there's been other girls coming through which have impressed us throughout the camp.

"Injuries like that, they're always going to come. They're not ideal going into a World Cup but it's something we have to deal with and adapt with and that's what we've done over the last couple of weeks."

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Melbourne

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Like everyone else, Andrew Porter was shocked to hear the news that Garry Ringrose had unselfishly withdrawn himself from the Lions team for Saturday’s second Test against Australia.

The Leinster centre told head coach Andy Farrell at the end of Thursday’s training session that he was experiencing concussion symptoms.

Ringrose first suffered the symptoms in the game against the Brumbies in Canberra two weeks ago and they caused him to miss the first Test.

He returned against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday, but has now been replaced in the team by Huw Jones.

"I actually only heard that before coming here (to speak to the media) that he actually withdrawn himself and that he wasn't pulled aside by a coach," said Porter.

"It's incredibly disappointing for Garry but it just goes to show the character and the player that he is to pull himself aside.

"I think that's an incredibly hard thing to do - and given the magnitude of the game - but it's testament to the player and person he is to be able to put the team first.

"In that sense if he's not right, he's not right and he's looking to let someone who's fit and able to come into the squad and do the job."

Porter has replaced England‘s Ellis Genge and is one of nine Irish internationals in the starting line-up, a new record for a Lions Test match. He will pack down in the front row with fellow Irish and Leinster team-mates Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.

"Obviously there's that comfort level to be able to pack down with two of your club and countrymen," said Porter.

"They've obviously had an incredible tour individually and it's great being able to come and start alongside them in this huge game in the MCG, so it’s incredibly exciting."

Porter can’t wait to step out in front of what is expected to be a crowd in excess of 90,000 but knows with the return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, the Australians could be a different animal to the one the Lions beat a week ago in Brisbane.

"It was an incredibly physical game last week but I think it's going to be another step up again in terms of physicality," he added.

"They’re going with a 6-2 split on the bench as well and with Skelton and Valetini, who are great ball carriers and incredibly experienced players, we're obviously gearing up for an incredibly physical game and as forwards you're always looking forward to those close quarter confrontations.

"We’re looking to continue on from the work we did last week. We obviously had a great first half and just a few errors maybe in the second half let them build a bit of pressure that let them into the game.

"We're just looking for that complete performance as a team and I think we've been building on that for the last few weeks. That performance is overdue and I think it's due to come on Saturday."

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand believes his side are further along in their journey than he anticipated they would be at this stage of his tenure.

Bemand is preparing his side up for the Rugby World Cup in England next month, with Ireland drawn against Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C.

Whilst pleased with their success, which includes qualifying for the tournament, beating New Zealand in the WXV1 and finishing third in the Women's Six Nations, he has been surprised by their quick progress.

"Whatever happens in this World Cup, when I was sat in the interview for this job two years ago, I was talking about Australia World Cup in 2029," he told BBC Sport NI's Orla Bannon.

"I'm not surprised with the level of performance the girls have got to, but with where we have got to, it is a bit sooner than we thought, but we won't fight it."

Bemand dismissed the notion that the World Cup is "a free hit" and is hoping his players can perform to their potential as they aim to reach the knockout stages.

"We have earned the right to be here and we're not under the radar now, we want to deliver on the world stage and if the time is now, it is now and there's an internal pressure to deliver on what we are capable of," he added.

"We have two warm-up games and by the time we get to the shores of England, we will be ready. We're concentrated on getting our best performance out there and if we do, the results will take care of themselves.

"We believe we have the capability to get to London [where the semi-finals are being held], so why not dream?"

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British and Irish Lions assistant coach Simon Easterby said that Thomas Clarkson and Jamie Osborne "fully deserve" to be included in the squad against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.

The Leinster duo were late call-ups to the Lions squad as cover after featuring in Ireland's summer tour.

Osborne will make his debut at outside centre, partnering captain Owen Farrell, whilst Clarkson is amongst the replacements and Easterby believes their displays for club and country merit their inclusion.

"It goes without saying the quality of those two individuals. Tom has fought through a pretty tough position at Leinster, never mind in the Irish squad, and he's put in some brilliant performances," he said.

"Jamie has had a brilliant couple of years. The performance he had in South Africa last summer and his performance for Leinster playing 12, 13 or wing, it's pretty impressive the positions he can cover and the quality he brings.

"I'm really pleased for the two of them, they fully deserve being here and I have no doubt they will perform tomorrow."

The Lions starting team does not include any of the players who featured in the first-Test win against Australia.

Easterby dismissed the idea that Tuesday's game is a "distraction" ahead of the second Test against Joe Schmidt's side on Saturday.

Instead, he urged the players that are involved to take the Pasifika game as a chance to force their way into Andy Farrell's plans with a good performance at the Marvel Stadium.

"The players know there is an opportunity there," Easterby added.

"Faz [Andy Farrell] in his selection overall has given guys opportunities based on the performances they have created on tour.

"I believe the group is so competitive at the minute and I don't think that will be any different with the prize of featuring in the second or third Test."

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Melbourne

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Tadhg Furlong has been there, done that and bought the T-shirt.

The veteran prop was making his seventh Test match start for the Lions and any doubts anyone had if he was worthy of his place after two seasons of stop-start rugby for Leinster and Ireland because of niggling injuries were dispelled as he produced a performance to match any in his stellar career.

In 2017, Furlong was a member of the Lions squad that lost the first Test in New Zealand but came back to win the second and tie the third.

Four years later in South Africa, the Lions went one-nil up before losing the series as the Springboks came roaring back.

Furlong has experienced the physical and mental struggles of being ahead and behind in a three-match series and heading into the second Test in Melbourne, he's unlikely to hop on an emotional rollercoaster.

"There's two sides of the coin," explained Furlong.

"Obviously it's on us that we don't get complacent and we learn the lessons.

"We have a midweek game again. It's great to see the boys go out and see who puts their hands up. If the lads go well on Tuesday then it will put them in contention.

"The other side of that is we know what it means to the Aussies.

"The desperation is all in there for them next weekend.

"Every series is different but some things remain the same no matter what.

"There is a flow to it. The group is edgy. We don't know each other, we don't know the Australians and they don't know us and what it's actually like on the pitch.

"You watch all the video. You do all your prep.

"There's a realisation after that of what it takes and what it felt like in the game."

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Furlong was feeling so good on Saturday night that at one stage he threw a 20 metre pass with unerring accuracy, not always a prop's greatest strength.

"A floaty one, he admitted.

"I thought it was good. I know it was on penalty advantage but your confidence is there.

"It was that kind of game where I was attacking well and getting through a few carries."

On his third tour, Furlong has never missed a Test match, all that's missing is being part of a series win.

He'll get that chance in Melbourne on Saturday.

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Brisbane

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Eight Ireland internationals will start for the British and Irish Lions in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Full-back Hugo Keenan, wing James Lowe and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park are named among the backs while Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan and Tadhg Beirne will pack down together up front.

And there could be more appearances from the Irish contingent with prop Andrew Porter, hooker Ronan Kelleher and centre Bundee Aki all named amongst the replacements.

It equals the record of most Ireland players to start a Lions Test that dates back to the third Test in South Africa in 1938.

Five of the eight were from Ulster, including captain Sammy Walker.

Blair Mayne, George Cromey, Harry Mckibbin and Robert Alexander were the others and were joined by Robert Graves, Charles Boyles and George Morgan.

That game was also the last that the Lions wore blue shirts in a Test match.

None of the starters is a surprise with Keenan as the only recognised full-back in the squad at the moment with Blair Kinghorn out injured.

With Garry Ringrose out with concussion, an all-Scottish midfield combination of Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu is preferred with Aki starting on the bench.

Perhaps the most debated selection is that of Beirne over England’s Ollie Chessum in the back row alongside Conan and Tom Curry with Josh Van der Flier missing out.

At times Beirne has not looked like his normal commanding self, but he has captained the side to a pair of wins.

“Yeah, I suppose that's the hotly contested one, part of the side that's been talked about for quite some time and rightly so because of the quality that we've got there,” admitted Farrell.

”Obviously we feel that that's the right balance for the first Test, the combination of Tadhg, being the type of player that he is, as far as his quality in the set-piece but yet his all-round ability, either on the floor or a ball-playing six.

“I think that complements Jack in a similar regard and Tom being the engine that we all know that you need in regards to Test match football.”

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Ireland forward Aoife Wafer is a doubt for the Rugby World Cup after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

Wafer, who was named 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is set to miss Ireland's two warm-up games against Scotland and Canada next month.

The 22-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland's World Cup Pool C opener against Japan in Northampton on 24 August.

Scott Bemand's side face Spain on 31 August and holders New Zealand on 7 September in their remaining pool games.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.

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The fixture details for this year's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches involving the four Irish provinces have been revealed.

Ulster will begin their Challenge Cup campaign with a home game against Racing 92 at the newly-named Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Friday 5 December (20:00 GMT).

Richie Murphy's side will then travel to face Cardiff away on Saturday 13 December (20:00), before taking on the Cheetahs at a European venue still to be confirmed on Sunday 11 January (15:15) and concluding with a home match against Stade Francais on Saturday 17 January (13:00).

In the Champions Cup, Leinster host Harlequins on 6 December (17:30), with the venue to be confirmed, with Munster away to Bath on the same day (20:00)

On Friday 12 December, Leinster are on the road to take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (20:00), with Munster hosting Gloucester at 17:30 on 13 December.

Leinster entertain La Rochelle on Saturday 10 January (17:30), then Munster are away to Toulon on 11 January (13:00).

In the final round of pool games, Leinster face Bayonne away on Saturday 17 January (15:15) and Munster play Castres at Thomond Park at 17:30 on the same day.

Connacht's Challenge Cup campaign commences with a trip to Ospreys on Sunday 7 December (15:15), followed by games at home to Black Lion (Saturday 13 December, 20:00), away to Montpellier (Sunday 11 January, 13:00) and home to US Montauban (Saturday 17 January, 20:00).