Aon has stepped into a new role as a premium sponsor of Irish Rugby, extending a partnership with the IRFU that has played a significant part in the growth of women’s rugby across the country.
The agreement marks the next stage of a relationship that began in 2014, when Aon became the first principal sponsor of the Ireland Women’s rugby team. Twelve years on, the partnership arrives as the sport enjoys increased participation, stronger visibility and record support from Irish fans.
Aon takes premium sponsor position with IRFU
Aon and the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed the new arrangement on 6 October 2026. While the company’s presence will evolve under the premium sponsorship structure, its stated commitment to the women’s game and the wider rugby community remains unchanged.
Rachael Ingle, CEO of Aon in Ireland, said the development of the women’s game had been “truly inspiring”, pointing to the rise in girls’ participation, the expansion of women’s teams and the growing audiences following the Ireland team.
She added that Aon was looking forward to supporting a “vibrant and thriving women’s rugby community” in the years ahead, with grassroots development remaining a central part of that ambition.
Women’s rugby growth gathers pace
The partnership began at a pivotal time for Irish rugby. Since then, women’s and girls’ participation has expanded throughout the country. More than 79% of rugby clubs in Ireland now have women’s or girls’ teams, underlining the scale of the change at community level.
The professional pathway has also developed. In 2022, the IRFU introduced centralised professional player contracts, with 29 contracts awarded through the Women’s High Performance Programme. That move represented an important step towards building a more established professional structure for Ireland’s leading players.
Those developments have helped create a clearer route from youth and club rugby to the international stage. They have also strengthened the connection between the Ireland team, local clubs and the next generation of players.
Record crowd shows growing interest in Ireland women
The rising profile of the team was evident during the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. A record 31,294 supporters attended Ireland’s match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, providing a powerful illustration of the audience now engaging with women’s rugby.
For Irish Rugby, the crowd was more than a headline figure. It reflected years of work across performance, promotion, coaching and grassroots participation. It also showed that major international fixtures can attract substantial support when fans are given the opportunity to watch the Ireland women’s team on a prominent stage.
The momentum around the women’s game is being felt across Irish sports clubs, schools and communities, where increased visibility can encourage more girls to try rugby and remain involved for longer.
What the renewed partnership means
The IRFU described Aon as a long-term and supportive partner in the development of Irish women’s rugby. Billy Murphy, chairperson of the union’s Commercial and Marketing Committee, recognised the company’s contribution and said the relationship would continue to encourage more young girls and boys to take up the sport.
- Continued backing for the Ireland women’s rugby programme
- Support for participation and development across Irish clubs
- Greater encouragement for girls entering the sport
- A stronger connection between grassroots rugby and the international team
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The next test for Irish women’s rugby
Aon’s move to premium sponsor status arrives at an important moment. The Ireland women’s team has greater visibility, the domestic player pathway is more developed and clubs across the country are providing opportunities for more girls and women.
The challenge now is to turn that momentum into lasting progress. That means continuing to grow participation, strengthening coaching and facilities, improving the player pathway and ensuring international success is matched by a healthy club game.
The takeaway: Aon’s renewed partnership with the IRFU reflects how far women’s rugby has come since 2014. With record crowds and growing club participation, the next phase will focus on making that progress sustainable for players at every level of Irish Rugby.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
