Eight uncapped players named in 40-strong Ireland Women's Six Nations squad

Ireland face France in their opening game on March 22. 

NEW BLOOD: Jane Clohessy, daughter of Munster legend Peter, is one of eight uncapped players included in the Ireland squad for the Women's Six Nations. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has named an extended 40-player Ireland squad for the upcoming Women's Six Nations. Ireland get their campaign underway against France on March 22.

There are eight uncapped players among the group. They include forwards Alma Atagamen, Jane Neill, Beth Buttimer, Jane Clohessy and Sophie Barrett and backs Amy Larn, Katie Heffernan and Caitriona Finn.

Barrett, Neill, Buttimer and Clohessy - daughter of Munster legend Peter Clohessy - all featured for Ireland Women's U20s last season, while Atagamen starred for the Ireland Women's U18s. Larn and Heffernan have represented Ireland at sevens level. 

Last year's co-captain Sam Monaghan has been ruled out of the championship through injury.

The squad will gather for a camp at the IRFU's High Performance Centre on Monday. 

"Following on from successes during the WXV1 campaign in Vancouver, we have been impressed by the hard work and application of the players as they have returned to club action in recent months," said Bemand.

"The focus and determination of players as they've attacked Celtic Challenge training with the Clovers and Wolfhounds has been particularly pleasing, and a number of players have earned their opportunity in National Camp off the back of those performances as we grow our wave.

"We showed positive growth and evolution over the course of 2024 and the group are excited to get back in together to continue that work as we look towards the opening game against France in Belfast, which will provide a big challenge for us but we're relishing the opportunity to perform in green while taking the home support along with us."

Ireland squad for 2025 Women's Six Nations

Forwards (22):

Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC), Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster), Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster), Cliodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs), Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster), Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs/Munster), Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht), Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC), Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster), Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster), Siobhán McCarthy (Worcester Warriors/Munster),Sophie Barrett (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)

Backs (18):

Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster, Amy Larn (Athy RFC), Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC), Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht), Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht), Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC), Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC), Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC), Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht), Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC), Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)