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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>England players pose for a selfie photograph as they celebrate at a Red Roses Champions Party, held at Battersea Power Station in central London on September 28, 2025, after their win in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup against Canada. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) </p>

S rugby-columnists

Duncan Casey: Rugby's global picture shows it has plenty to learn from growth of women's game

The men’s game can learn plenty from the success of this World Cup and the growth the women’s game has enjoyed in recent years

<p>Ireland’s Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign can give a huge boost to the upcoming Energia All-Ireland League season, UL Bohemian playmaker Caitriona Finn believes. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie</p>

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All-Ireland League can ride crest of Green Wave from Ireland's Women's World Cup run

<p>Axelle Berthoumieu apologised to Ireland's Wafer on social media on Monday. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland</p>

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Berthoumieu ban for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafter cut to nine games

Dannah O’Brien dejected after the match 14/9/2025

S columnists

Duncan Casey: A window into rich potential though Ireland may regret flogging dead horse

A view of the Ireland team ‘Le Cheile’ in the huddle after the game 14/9/2025

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'We don't stop here' - Irish women vow to keep inspiring after World Cup run

Axelle Berthoumieu holds the arm of Aoife Wafer 14/9/2025

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France's Axelle Berthoumieu gets 12-match ban for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer

Ellena Perry with her son Bert dejected after the game 14/9/2025

Ireland ponder what might have been after French comeback win

Scott Bemand's side came to the end of the road, despite leading 13-0 at the break in Exeter on Sunday.

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Charlotte Escudero tackles Elena Perry 14/9/2025

Ireland bow out of World Cup after second-half comeback from France

Scott Bemand's side were 13-0 up at the break but were reeled in at Sandy Park.

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Pauline Bourdon Sansus celebrates turnover 14/9/2025

As it happened: Heartbreak for Ireland as France rally to reach Women's Rugby World Cup semis

The sides face off in Exeter with a place in the last-four on the line.

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Aoife Dalton 10/9/2025

Ireland ready to bounce back against France, says Dalton

The sides face off on Sunday with a place in the last-four on the line.

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025

Aoife Wafer 11/9/2025

Ireland's Aoife Wafer fit to face France in Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final

The Six Nations player of the tournament missed Ireland’s pool games due to a knee injury.

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Eve Higgins 10/9/2025

Eve Higgins' versatility makes her central to Ireland's plan A and B

An injury to full-back Stacey Flood, though, could force head coach Scott Bemand into a reshuffle,

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Aoife Wafer 10/9/2025

Huge boost for Ireland as Aoife Wafer deemed ready for action after knee injury

The number eight, last season's Six Nations player of the tournament, missed all three pool stage appointments with Japan, Spain and New Zealand

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

New Zealand v Ireland - Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 - Pool C - Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium

Ireland need World Cup quarter-final win to save stuttering season

That may sound obvious. The World Cup is the be all and end all in any given year, but such is the stuttering nature of the team’s fortunes that they won’t be able to lean on much in terms of consolation from earlier efforts if they depart the tournament at this stage

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Emilie Boulard scores her sides first try 7/9/2025

'Ireland are improving and will bring a big fight': France wary of Irish threat

Ireland face France in the quarter-finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup at Sandy Park in Exeter on Sunday.

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Scott Bemand speaks in a team huddle after the match 7/9/2025

Bemand hopeful Ireland's injury issues will clear up for quarter-final

It's France next up in a quarter-final in Exeter.

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Scott Bemand speaks to Ireland players after the match 7/9/2025

'We’ve just got to be a little bit smarter' - Ireland outclassed by Black Ferns but scoreboard does them no justice

Yes, they weren’t clinical enough when they engineered their openings, but how this game ended without an Irish contribution to the scoreboard almost beggars belief.

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Sorensen-McGee celebrates with team after scoring her sides third try of the match 7/9/2025

Injuries of more concern than scoreline as Ireland fire blank against New Zealand

Despite the defeat, Ireland still progress to the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals though they will have injury concerns ahead of that knockout stage game.

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

New Zealand v Ireland - Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C

As it happened: New Zealand hammer Ireland at Women's Rugby World Cup

New Zealand have beaten Ireland 40-0 in the final Pool C game at the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Australia Team Run - Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - Friday September 5th

Inclusive Brighton is perfect venue for World Cup’s sell-out party weekend

Women’s rugby is proving that it can offer a greater sense of belonging and diversity than other sports.

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati and Linda Djougang 5/9/2025

S Ciara Griffin: Defensive steel and aerial edge key in Ireland's high-stakes pool decider against New Zealand

Ireland must ensure their defensive systems off set-pieces are far tighter on Sunday than they were against Spain. Scrum defence will demand equal precision

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Larissa Muldoon and Molly Scuffil-McCabe 28/8/2025

The coaching conveyor belt propelling Ireland's World Cup bid

The roster of coaches at the Irish women's rugby team's disposal is filled with the kind of experience and knowledge that is vital when so much is at stake

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Scott Bemand 4/9/2025

Aoife Wafer absent again as Ireland name team to take on world champions

The sides face off in a group finale on Sunday.

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Eimear Corri-Fallon 4/9/2025

Black Ferns win feeding Irish belief ahead of World Cup showdown

Eimear Corri-Fallon is preparing to take on New Zealand in the group stage finale.

Thu, 04 Sep, 2025

Denis Fogarty 27/8/2025

Ireland promise to go full pelt against Kiwi world champions

Scrum coach Denis Fogarty touched on the ‘Green wave’ that the squad has adopted for this tournament. If it can come across as a tad corny and forced then the principle behind it backs up the belief that Ireland will be at full throttle next time out.

Thu, 04 Sep, 2025

Brittany Hogan 3/9/2025

Irish belief vs Kiwi beef: Ireland out to repeat famous win over New Zealand in Women's World Cup decider

That win fast-forwarded Ireland’s recovery and the team’s journey from a nadir of failing to make the 2022 World Cup, but the flip side this week, as the sides meet for the first time since, is that it has served to poke the bear.

Thu, 04 Sep, 2025

Aoife Wafer 3/9//2025

Ireland not looking to play it safe against Black Ferns in World Cup showdown

On offer is the top spot in the group and the easier of the last eight ties

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Linda Djougang and Dannah O’Brien celebrate after the match 31/8/2025

Ireland 'going to focus on ourselves' ahead of showdown with rivals New Zealand, says O'Brien

Scott Bemand's side came through a Spanish challenge on Sunday.

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Linda Djougang celebrates after Eve Higgins scores Ireland's third try 31/8/2025

'We had to really dig hard': Ireland seal quarter-final spot as Djougang hits 50 caps

After two wins from their two World Cup games, Ireland will move their training base to the English south coast before the meeting with New Zealand in the final pool stage match.

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025

Anna McGann celebrates with Emily Lane 31/8/2025

As it happened: Ireland do the business against Spain to close on quarter-final spot

Ireland scored seven tries against Spain to earn a 43-27 win. They will face New Zealand in their final pool stage game next weekend.

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025

Scott Bemand 28/8/2025

All change for Ireland but focus the same for Spain test

The Ireland head coach insists there is no danger in overlooking the more bump on the road.

Sat, 30 Aug, 2025

Amee-Leigh Costigan takes a selfie with fans from Towcestrians rugby club 28/8/2025

Switch from sevens no problem for Costigan and co

Plenty of women are following an Olympics with a World Cup, as the latter dips into its second weekend in England.

Sat, 30 Aug, 2025

Aoife Wafer takes a selfie with fans from Towcestrians rugby club 28/8/2025

Ireland's Aoife Wafer on track to face world champion Black Ferns

The 2025 Six Nations player of the year has been injured since the back end of that tournament with a knee problem.

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Anna McGann 28/8/2025

Ireland make seven changes for World Cup clash with Spain

Head coach Scott Bemand has shuffled the pack for Sunday's game.

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Neve Jones 27/8/2025

Relaxed Neve Jones savouring every World Cup moment

Hooker Neve Jones epitomises the positivity in Scott Bemand's Ireland camp

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Alex Codling 27/8/2025

Alex Codling ready to bring lineout mastery to Munster

This hasn’t been Codling’s first dalliance with Munster. As a player, he lined out alongside Keith Wood at Harlequins.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Aoife Wafer 27/8/2025

Aoife Wafer unlikely to feature in Ireland’s second World Cup game against Spain

“She's working really hard, she's coming back and is very close,” said Ireland assistant coach Alex Codling.

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Sam Monaghan celebrates with her family and friends after the game 24/8/2025

Japan frustrations show how far Ireland have come, insists Monaghan

No-one disputes the reality that Ireland will need to be better come the last pool game, against New Zealand in Brighton.

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Fiona Tuite scores her sides fourth try of the match 24/8/2025

Tuite eager for Wafer's return after role as back row stopgap

Ireland got their World Cup campaign up and running with a victory on Sunday.

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Larissa Alves Carvalho comes up against Aphiwe Ngwevu 24/8/2025

Brendan O'Brien: Magic moments can't mask minnows' struggles at Women's Rugby World Cup

The average winning margin so far stands at 47.6 points. It’s a small sample size, but still an awful look for an event expanded from 12 teams to 16 for the first time.

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Fiona Tuite scores her sides fourth try of the match 24/8/2025

Ireland dismiss debate that they could go easy against Black Ferns

Ruby Tui, a World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2022, broached the topic of Ireland taking their foot off the gas against the Black Ferns.

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Anna McGann and Scott Bemand celebrate after the match 24/8/2025

Scott Bemand: Ireland 'got what we wanted' out of World Cup opener

There have already been too many strolls in the pool stages and, while Ireland won well, they were pushed at times by a Japanese side that never wilted after falling behind 14-0 so early.

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Eve Higgins makes a break on her way to scoring her sides fifth try of the match 24/8/2025

Ireland hit Japan for six in Rugby World Cup opener

Ireland are just 80 minutes away from a guaranteed quarter-final place.

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Ireland v Japan - Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C

As it happened: Ireland open Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with bonus point win over Japan

The Irish scored six tries against the Japanese in Northampton on Sunday afternoon.

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Ireland players dance to welcoming band Darragh’s Daughter 15/8/2025

Pool-by-pool guide: All you need to know about the Women's Rugby World Cup

Ireland are in Pool C along with New Zealand, Japan and Spain.

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Aoibheann Reilly 21/8/2025

S Women’s Rugby World Cup: Ireland vs Japan preview, pools, fixtures and favourites

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup promises record attendance, expanded pools, and intense battles as Ireland and top teams compete

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Australia v Samoa - Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 - Pool A - Salford Community Stadium

Australia run riot with 11 tries in Women's Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

They scored 11 tries, including seven in a blistering first-half performance to not only surpass their record 62-0 victory over South Africa but move ahead of England on points difference.

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald 20/8/2025

Ireland's rugby codebreakers owe plenty to their GAA past

At least 20 of Ireland’s 32-strong squad could add a line about a GAA background to their sporting CVs.

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald 20/8/2025

A new chapter begins: Ireland women set sights on Rugby World Cup redemption

Ireland face Japan in their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup opener, aiming to build momentum and secure a quarter-final spot

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Scotland Team Run - Manchester Rugby Club - Friday August 22nd

Scotland fuelled by ‘sour taste’ in must-win Wales clash

Crunch Group B tie in Salford is likely to be decisive

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025