Ireland sports fans have a new date to circle as the Ireland Women’s team put the finishing touches to their preparations for a landmark WXV Global Series campaign. Scott Bemand’s squad will welcome the USA to Tallaght Stadium next Sunday, with a first-ever women’s Test match at the Dublin venue adding extra significance to the occasion.
The fixture comes less than a week after the opening round of WXV Global Series action, which saw England, Canada and New Zealand begin their campaigns with victories. Ireland will now look to carry the momentum of their impressive 2026 Six Nations performances into a new international competition.
Ireland Women ready for Tallaght Stadium challenge
The USA match, scheduled for a 1.45pm kick-off, will be Ireland’s first game since their memorable Aviva Stadium win over Scotland in May. That result helped raise expectations around the team, while also strengthening the connection between the players and supporters.
Captain Erin King believes the group has established a standard it must now build on. She said the squad wanted to “keep growing” after producing a performance at the Aviva that left supporters wanting more.
That home support could be crucial again in Tallaght. The match represents an important opportunity to bring Ireland women’s rugby to a new audience and give fans in Dublin a chance to see the team in a modern, accessible stadium setting.
New faces add competition to the squad
Training at the IRFU High Performance Centre has featured a blend of established internationals and players pushing for their first senior cap. The recent Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship has given several contenders a chance to make their case.
- Jemima Adams Verling impressed during the Under-21 Six Nations campaign.
- Uncapped out-half Caitríona Finn played a key role in Munster retaining their Interprovincial title.
- Anna McGann showed her versatility for Connacht across the wing and outside centre.
- Jane Clohessy returned from injury and made three starts during Munster’s successful campaign.
The competition for places is also being driven by experienced players. Aoife Wafer begins the season as captain of PWR club Harlequins after another outstanding campaign, while Dorothy Wall featured in all five of Ireland’s 2026 Six Nations matches.
In the forwards, the squad has been working on lineouts, maul execution and set-piece accuracy. Beth Buttimer is among the uncapped players hoping to break through, while Brittany Hogan, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Linda Djougang provide valuable experience in the pack.
WXV Global Series gives Ireland a major platform
Ireland’s opening two matches will both be played at home. After the USA visit to Tallaght Stadium, Japan will provide the opposition at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium on Sunday, September 27.
Those fixtures give the squad a chance to develop consistency while playing in front of home crowds. They also offer the coaching staff an opportunity to test combinations, assess emerging talent and build a stronger squad ahead of future Ireland rugby fixtures.
For Bemand, the challenge will be to combine the energy of new players with the standards established by the senior members of the group. Training images from the camp show a side working across every area of the game, from scrum-half drills involving Katie Whelan and Aoibheann Reilly to attacking and defensive contests between Robyn O’Connor and Enya Breen.
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Tickets and travel information for supporters
Tickets for the Tallaght Stadium fixture are available through Ticketmaster.ie. Supporters travelling by bus should note that dedicated bus parking will be available, but groups must contact tickets@irishrugby.ie to reserve a space.
The match is also a chance to see several players reaching important milestones. Tullow’s Dannah O’Brien will turn 23 two days after the USA game, while Moloney-MacDonald has moved into the 50-cap club with 54 Test appearances.
Those milestones underline the depth of experience within the squad, but the most intriguing storyline may be the arrival of the next generation. Players such as Finn, Buttimer and Adams Verling are competing for opportunities at a time when Ireland are trying to establish sustained progress on the international stage.
What to watch when Ireland face the USA
Ireland’s performance will be judged not only by the result but by how effectively the team transfers its recent progress into this new competition. Key areas for supporters to watch include:
- Set-piece control, particularly the lineout and driving maul.
- How the half-back combinations manage tempo and territory.
- The impact of emerging players against experienced USA opposition.
- Ireland’s ability to turn pressure into points in the opening stages.
With Japan awaiting in Galway, the USA match is the first step in a demanding home double-header. A strong start would give Ireland confidence, reward the supporters returning after the Aviva Stadium success and provide a platform for the next phase of the campaign.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
