Ireland Women’s rugby team will begin the new WXV campaign on home soil this autumn, giving fans another major moment in sports ireland as Scott Bemand’s squad prepare for five Test matches across Dublin, Galway, Cork and Cape Town. After an encouraging Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Ireland now move into the inaugural WXV Global Series with two home fixtures in September, an extra Test in Cork, and a two-match trip to South Africa in October.
The schedule starts with Ireland v USA at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, 20 September, a landmark occasion as the venue hosts its first Women’s Test. A week later, Ireland face Japan at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Sunday, 27 September. The teams then meet again in a standalone Test at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, 3 October.
WXV fixtures give Ireland Women a strong autumn test
This run of games is a significant step in ireland rugby and ireland women sports, not just because of the opposition but because of the spread of venues around the country. It gives supporters in Dublin, Galway and Cork the chance to see this side up close as momentum builds.
- 20 September: Ireland v USA, Tallaght Stadium
- 27 September: Ireland v Japan, Dexcom Stadium
- 3 October: Ireland v Japan, Virgin Media Park
- 24 October: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
- 31 October: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Bemand said the programme offers “important” development opportunities and underlined the value of playing quality opponents in different settings. That matters for rugby ireland as the squad continues to grow after its recent progress in six nations ireland competition.
The South Africa leg could be especially revealing. Ireland and South Africa Women have met only once before, with Ireland winning 37-0 at the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup. This time, the challenge is very different: back-to-back away Tests in Cape Town against a rising side on home turf.
Kick-off times and broadcast details for the Irish dates have not yet been confirmed. For supporters following sports ireland and ireland sports updates, the next thing to watch is ticket and TV information, plus how Bemand shapes his squad for a demanding autumn block. Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
