Ireland’s pathway to joining the big three of women’s international rugby

New Zealand, England, and Canada are the standard bearers of women’s international rugby, but Irelandareclosing fast. Edward Newman asks what does the IRFU need to do to make the leap into elite company?

Women’s rugby in Ireland has never enjoyed a higher profile: Grand Slam winners in 2013, Six Nations champions two years later, Sevens team qualification for the 2018 World Cup and grassroots participation numbers in a very healthy state. Plus, IRFU funding in the last 12 months is up 25%.

With the World Cup being staged in Dublin and Belfast until August 25, the popularity of the game may rise again and, with the sold-out signs already in situ for all of Ireland’s pool games, the omens are looking very positive for the women’s game.