Person: Sophie Spence

Health is wealth for talismanic Sophie Spence

Spotting rugby rookie Sophie Spence playing for the Exiles and nabbing her before England got their mitts on her, was one former Irish coach Philip Doyle’s many wily moves.

Wed, 16 Aug, 2017

Relief all round as Ireland Women win nail-biter against Australia

Ireland 19 Australia 17

Thu, 10 Aug, 2017

Tom Tierney reveals Ireland training squad for RWC17

The Ireland Women’s management team has confirmed a 48-strong training panel to prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast in August. 

Wed, 03 May, 2017

England Women deny Ireland Women the Grand Slam

The Ireland Women's challenge fell away in the final quarter at Donnybrook tonight as England secured their first Women's Six Nations title since 2012.

Fri, 17 Mar, 2017

Tom Tierney delighted as determined Irish keep Grand Slam hopes on track

Ireland 13 France 10: Ireland weathered Storm Ewan, proved the doubters wrong and took a massive step towards a Grand Slam with deserved victory over France in Donnybrook yesterday.

Mon, 27 Feb, 2017

Ireland Women grind out win over French to maintain 100% record in Six Nations 2017

The Ireland Women mastered the squally conditions at Donnybrook to deservedly grind out a 13-10 win over France in front of an enraptured 3,886-strong crowd.

Sun, 26 Feb, 2017

Hannah Tyrrell’s last gasp try crucial bonus for Ireland

Women’s Six Nations

Mon, 13 Feb, 2017

Paula Fitzpatrick: Ireland must tackle indiscipline

Captain Paula Fitzpatrick admits Irish discipline must improve if they are to maintain their perfect start to the RBS Six Nations away to Italy tomorrow afternoon (1pm, live on RTE Two).

Sat, 11 Feb, 2017

Elaine Anthony and Hannah Tyrrell get Ireland call

Ireland head coach Tom Tierney has named Cork woman Elaine Anthony in his side to take on their Italian counterparts at the Stadio Tommaso Fattori in L’Aquila on Sunday, as Ireland look to build on an injury-time win over Scotland last weekend.

Fri, 10 Feb, 2017

Sophie Spence misses out as Tom Tierney brings in uncapped quintet

Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has named five uncapped players in his Six Nations squad but it is the absence of former World Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence that stood out.

Fri, 27 Jan, 2017

Alison Miller leads the way in rout of Scotland

Ireland 45 Scotland 12: Alison Miller ran in a hat-trick of tries as Ireland dominated Scotland at Donnybrook yesterday to finish third in the RBS Women’s Six Nations.

Mon, 21 Mar, 2016

Ireland find rhythm after sluggish start

Ireland 14 Italy 3: Ireland’s Women’s team landed their second victory of this RBS Six Nations campaign in Donnybrook yesterday, although lacked conviction in doing so.

Mon, 14 Mar, 2016

Tierney demands more discipline from Ireland’s women’s squad when they take on England

Ireland’s women’s squad will be looking to reduce the number of unforced errors they committed in the loss to France as they return to action tomorrow at Twickenham (7.15pm), says coach Tom Tierney.

Fri, 26 Feb, 2016

Error count means Ireland Women lose in France

France's two-try first half salvo saw the Ireland Women lose 18-6 in tonight's Women's RBS 6 Nations showdown in Perpignan.

Sat, 13 Feb, 2016

Ireland hit the ground running

Ireland 21 Wales 3: Ireland coach Tom Tierney had plenty of reason to smile at Donnybrook on Saturday afternoon.

Mon, 08 Feb, 2016

Ireland Women's Head coach Tom Tierney predicts bright future despite England defeat

Women’s International

Mon, 16 Nov, 2015

Ireland Women's squad announced for historic Autumn International

The Ireland Women’s rugby squad to play England women in a historic first Autumn International match has been named.

Tue, 27 Oct, 2015

Second rows have gone from dockyard brawlers to lovely locks

Where once the second rows were an odd couple of beanpole and bruiser, now they’re amongst the game’s elite - Retallick, O’Connell, Matfield. And their impact on the World Cup will be considerable, says an original of the species

Sun, 13 Sep, 2015

Niamh Briggs plays captain’s part as Munster seal title

Munster 15 Leinster 7 (Ladies Interpro final): A polished performance from international Niamh Briggs led Munster, who had eight from the Highfield club in the starting side, to back-to-back interprovincial titles before a bigger than expected crowd at Thomond Park on Saturday

Mon, 07 Sep, 2015

Scan to decide Andrew Trimble's cup fate

The trimming has begun.

Wed, 12 Aug, 2015

Ireland Women secure 6 Nations dream double

Scotland 3 Ireland 73

Mon, 23 Mar, 2015

France snatch victory from Ireland's women

Ireland 5 France 10

Fri, 13 Feb, 2015

One change to Ireland’s women for France game

Ireland women head coach Tom Tiernan has made one change to Ireland’s starting XV for Friday’s RBS Six Nations match against France in Ashbourne.

Wed, 11 Feb, 2015

Leinster flyer to debut for Ireland Women's team; U20s also named

Ireland Women's Coach Tom Tierney has named six uncapped players in their squad for their 6 Nations opener against Italy in Florence on Friday night (6pm Irish Time).

Wed, 04 Feb, 2015

Exhausted Irish keep battling to bitter end

WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP:

Mon, 18 Aug, 2014

Ireland come close in tough contest for third place

The Ireland Women ended their World Cup journey with a best ever finish of fourth place after falling to France in a bruising 3rd/4th place play-off tie in Paris.

Sun, 17 Aug, 2014

England knock Ireland out of Women's Rugby World Cup

Ireland's first ever Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final appearance turned into a nightmare outing as dominant England hit them with 40 unanswered points in Paris.

Wed, 13 Aug, 2014

Ireland's All Black conquerors named for England clash

Ireland Women's rugby coach Philip Doyle has named the same side that overcame New Zealand for their Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final against England tomorrow.

Tue, 12 Aug, 2014

Fans fly in to help Ireland finish the job

Full-back Niamh Briggs has applauded the Irish support in France and at home, and hopes Ireland’s Rugby World Cup adventure continues to gain momentum.

Sat, 09 Aug, 2014

One change for women's rugby team to play New Zealand

The Ireland Women's team to play New Zealand in the second round of the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup has been named.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2014

Ireland put down early marker

IRFU WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B:

Sat, 02 Aug, 2014

Ireland Women made to work for victory against tough Americans

Niamh Briggs accumulated 18 points as Ireland outfought and outfoxed a physical USA team to begin the Women's Rugby World Cup in winning style.

Fri, 01 Aug, 2014

Irish Women’s Rugby Team – meet the players

Meet the women representing Ireland at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in France, with the first match at 4pm this evening.

Fri, 01 Aug, 2014

Doyle makes two changes for Wales game

Ireland coach Philip Doyle has made two changes from the side that demolished Scotland for tomorrow night’s RBS Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales (Ashbourne, 7.30pm).

Thu, 06 Feb, 2014

Spence leads the rout

Ireland 50 Scotland 0

Sat, 01 Feb, 2014

Ireland women smash Scotland to open Grand Slam defence

Ireland 59 Scotland 0

Fri, 31 Jan, 2014

Girls in Green celebrate historic rugby Grand Slam

Italy Women 3 Ireland Women 6

Sun, 17 Mar, 2013

Historic Triple Crown for Ireland women

RBS Six Nations Women's Championship

Sat, 23 Feb, 2013

Ireland look to end losing England run

Six Nations Ladies

Sat, 09 Feb, 2013

Bourke wins it for Ireland at the death

Wales 10 Ireland 12

Mon, 04 Feb, 2013

England's Women claim Grand Slam against Irish

England Women 23 Ireland Women 6

Sat, 17 Mar, 2012

One change for Women's side to face England

Ireland Women's coach Philip Doyle has made one change for the final game of this year's RBS 6 Nations against England as the team target a triple crown win.

Wed, 14 Mar, 2012

Clinical Irish show real grit

Ireland’s women called upon endless reserves of defensive grit for the second week running as they defeated Scotland in Ashbourne.

Sat, 10 Mar, 2012

Ireland Women defeat Scotland

Ireland women 20 Scotland women 0

Fri, 09 Mar, 2012