Hot on the heels of John Mitchell, Scott Bemand has revealed the 37 names of players to form Ireland’s first training squad.
It is:
Backs
*Alana McInerney, Anna McGann; Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons, *Caitriona Finn, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Nancy McGillivray, *Niamh Gallagher, *Robyn O’Connor; Stacey Flood, Vicky Elmes Kinlan (15)
Forwards
Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, *Beth Buttimer, Brittany Hogan, *Cara McLean, Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald, Dorothy Wall, Ellen Perry, Erin King, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy, *Jemima Adams Verling, *India Daley, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, *Rosie Searle, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, *Sophie Barrett (22)
* uncapped
For the past two seasons Ireland have been the Six Nations team on the march. Their 2025 RWC run ended with defeat to France in the quarter-finals by a bare five points (13-18).
Prospects
I take the simplistic view that they still need all their top players fit and well to achieve the results they strive for. They are a formidable unit fore and aft.
In that Exeter game they were missing Dorothy Wall and Erin King. Both are now restored. Sam Monaghan had just recovered in time; now her fans will hope to see her at full throttle; ditto Aoife Wafer.
New Faces
Bemand has included ten new faces, a large proportion of the total. It’s vital for Irish success that some at least prove the equal of their seniors. Coaches don’t want their bench to be no more than making up the numbers. That is one secret of England’s success.
One clear example is the out-half position. Bemand cannot possibly expect Dannah O’Brien to play all 400 minutes of the 6N. Who should replace her?
One reason for Ireland’s success in the CC has been the number of home-based players – unlike Scotland and Wales.
This in turn will reveal the true strength of the Celtic Challenge. Wolfhounds are as usual unbeaten, Clovers not quite the force they were.
But the vital No 10 position remains a potential weakness. I suspect Niamh Gallagher might find favour, and she has been playing thoroughly well for Trailfinders in the PWR. Bemand might even prefer to see her start, but she is primarily a 15. That would leave that reserve 10 position up for grabs. The 19-year-old Caitriona Finn is an outside bet, another left-footer who plays for Clovers. But I suspect she must bide her time.
The road ahead
Training is already under way at the High Performance Centre in Dublin.
The 6N adventure starts on the biggest stage, at the Allianz, where 50,000 tickets have already been sold – another record in the making.
The team pays a first visit to Galway, before making its debut at the national Aviva Stadium Dublin. At present only some 12,000 tickets have been bought. The IRFU must be hoping for a big take-up as the tournament progresses.
One shame
Bemand has added another assistant to his staff, Alan O’Connor. That makes five men out of five. Capable as they all may be, it runs counter to World Rugby’s professed wishes (and they are based in Dublin!).
Let’s hope that all goes thoroughly well for the team we must now term the “Green Wave”. They have three home games, and, with everyone staying fit, can present a severe challenge to all their opponents.
