Irish Rugby

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Ireland wing Anna McGann said her side are aiming to take the "massive opportunity" presented by the WXV series and want to come away with five victories.

Scott Bemand's side will face US in Tallaght Stadium on 20 September and then Japan on 27 September and 3 October at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway and Virgin Media Park in Cork before travelling for two games against South Africa in late October.

McGann, who impressed in the Women's Interprovincial series for Connacht, believes those WXV fixtures can help Ireland's continued development as they look to establish themselves as one of the top sides in the women's game.

"It's such a massive opportunity to get five games at this time of year against some top tier nations. It's really exciting and we're taking the opportunity and running with it," she told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy.

"It's such a huge opportunity to build off the back of the Six Nations and I feel we have been building since the World Cup, we've come back into camp at a higher level than we left camp so it's a huge opportunity for us to grow and build as a team and build our depth.

"We're still gutted from the World Cup that we couldn't make it to the top four because we believed we could be in the top four and be one of the best in the world. We're still developing and what's to come is really exciting."

While McGann acknowledges that the three sides they will face will all pose different threats than the teams Ireland usually face in the Six Nations, she believes they can still come away with positive results in all five games.

"We're going into the competition really confident we can come out with five wins and that comes down to the performances we put out on the pitch so it's been performance focused in training the last couple of weeks and the coaches have really been pushing us and we're ready for it."

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New Ulster signing Ben Donnell said a motivating factor in his move to the province was the chance to force his way into the Ireland set-up and play international rugby.

The 26-year-old is Irish-qualified through his Belfast-born father and as well as the chance to discover where his father grew up, he is aiming to catch Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's eye at his new club.

"My dad being from here, I wanted to see what Belfast was like and what it was like for him growing up here, but also I'm Irish-qualified and it gives me the chance to play international rugby," he told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy.

"At Cardiff I wasn't Welsh-qualified so no matter how well I played I couldn't play international rugby there, so that is what attracted me.

"The club as well, I played here before the 3G pitch was in and it was packed and the atmosphere was amazing so that was another exciting thing that drew me in."

Donnell represented England at U18 and U20 level and had spells at London Irish and Gloucester Rugby, before joining Cardiff in 2023.

He was a regular feature in the United Rugby Championship with the Welsh side, who finished sixth last year, three places ahead of Ulster.

Donnell added that Richie Murphy's side must aim to return to the top eight in the URC this season and try to atone for their Challenge Cup final defeat against Montpellier.

"Top eight is the target as it always is. You want to play finals rugby and when you get top eight you never know what can happen," he added.

"They narrowly missed out last year and it would be good to go one better in Challenge Cup too."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ireland scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly says she is "grateful" to be back in Scott Bemand's squad as she aims to put her injury woes behind her and play a significant part in the forthcoming WXV series.

The Irish number nine missed this year's Women's Six Nations tournament after breaking her fibula and has also battled back from ACL injuries to her left and right legs which she suffered in the space of nine months.

She is part of the Ireland squad which is preparing for home matches against the United States at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on 20 September and with Japan on 27 September and 3 October at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway and Virgin Media Park in Cork respectively.

The Irish team will then travel for two games against South Africa in late October.

"It's good to be back. I'm feeling good and fully fit now and I'm just so glad to be fit and healthy coming into this competition," Reilly told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy.

"You can't let yourself get too low, especially if you want to come back and keep firing.

"To have matches like this to come back to keeps me motivated. Keeping injury-free for the rest of my career would be great.

"It's really tough when you're away from it and it makes you more grateful when you get to come back in and hopefully put on an Ireland jersey again. It's a really exciting couple of months ahead."

'Attracting new fans important'

The 25-year-old is thrilled by the prospect of facing teams from around the globe.

"It's really cool to play against teams from different parts of the world. We've got USA, Japan and South Africa.

"All different styles so really exciting for us. They are teams we don't come across often so when we do it's always a good battle.

"They are all very unique so it's really testing. We'll have to have a different gameplan going into each game."

Playing at Tallaght Stadium will represent a first for the Ireland team, although the Republic of Ireland soccer team have often played at the venue.

"It's great to be playing at Tallaght Stadium for the first time. The Irish soccer team have kind of made that stadium their own so it'll be great to play there and hopefully attract some soccer fans as well maybe.

"Dublin is very accessible too so hopefully there will be a big fanbase there.

"Every time we play I think we attract new fans and that's always growing so it's really important for us to have home games and people supporting us.

"Hopefully if they come and enjoy it they'll come back again."

The prospect of facing South Africa is one that excites Reilly.

"South Africa are obviously one of the biggest rugby nations in the world so getting the opportunity to play there will be unbelievable," she added.

"They're an amazing outfit and they made it to the World Cup quarter-finals too, so it will be a great battle."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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More than 100 days on from a chastening Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier, Ulster return to action on Friday with a pre-season against Edinburgh in the Scottish capital (19:45 BST).

There has been much change at Ulster this summer and Richie Murphy's line-up for Friday's hit-out reflects as much.

There is a new pair of new faces in the half-backs. Irish-qualified Jamie Benson, who arrived from Harlequins over the summer, starts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Matthew Devine, who was recruited from Connacht.

Devine was Murphy's starting nine during Ireland's Six Nations Under-20 Grand Slam campaign in 2022.

There are fresh faces further back, too. Daniel Hawkshaw, another of Murphy's Under-20 class four years ago, starts at inside centre while Chay Mullins is handed a first run-out on the right wing after joining from Connacht.

Aitzol Arenzana-King, who marked his senior debut with a try in a loss to Munster in April, starts on the left wing while the experienced Mike Lowry captains the side from full-back.

A primary focus for Ulster in their off-season dealings centred on bolstering Murphy's options up front with props Eduardo Bello and Martin Moloney signed and hooker Henry Walker elevated from the academy.

All three are on the bench on Friday alongside academy prop Flynn Longstaff and new signings Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell, who will strengthen Murphy's hand further back in the scrum.

"We're looking to see that we go really hard after our set-piece," said Ulster general manager Rory Best.

"If you want to be competitive at this level you have to have a strong set-piece. We know from last season that our attacking game is strong so we want to make sure that we can provide as perfect a ball as we can to let that backline play.

"In defence, we want to bring in abrasive people who are going to make an impact, slow the ball down for the opposition and speed it up for us.

"There's going to be some new additions, mostly up front, and hopefully the fans will come out and see a continuation of the evolution we saw last year."

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Murphy is still without his Ireland squad members while Iain Henderson (hip), Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) are sidelined.

However, Ulster fans will be buoyed to see James McNabney in action on Friday after the 23-year-old back row missed the entire 2025-26 season with knee and ankle injuries.

Ulster return to Hive Stadium after beating Edinburgh 40-19 at the venue in March. The sides also meet in the United Rugby Championship opener in Belfast on 25 September after Ulster's second pre-season game at home to Ospreys on 13 September.

Ulster: Mike Lowry (capt); Chay Mullins, Ben Carson, Daniel Hawkshaw, Aitzol Arenzana-King; Jamie Benson, Matthew Devine; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom McAllister, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, David McCann.

Replacements: Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Martin Moloney, James McNabney, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Jonny Scott, Jed Findlay, Jack Murphy.

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Ulster's new signing Eli Snyman said the chance to join Richie Murphy's side was "an opportunity I could not say no to."

Snyman joined the province from Italian side Benetton and became general manager Rory Best's first signing in January when he signed a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old will strengthen Ulster's options in the second row which also include Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Charlie Irvine and Joe Hopes.

"I think it is a very proud club," Snyman told BBC Sport NI.

"It was an opportunity I could not say no to, and I am grateful to be and appreciative to be given this opportunity and hopefully I can make the most of it and do well with the boys.

"I just want to help add to the team where I can and help out."

Ulster's United Rugby Championship campaign starts on 25 September when they welcome Edinburgh to the Affidea Stadium.

Synman added that the future is "looking good" for the side who are aiming to bounce back from last season's disappointment when they failed to qualify for the Investec Champions Cup before losing the Challenge Cup final against Montpellier.

"There are a great number of very young, talented players here who are really hungry to play," he continued.

"They are pushing each other, and they are pushing all the older guys every day, so it is really difficult, but it is good.

"I think the future is certainly looking good for Ulster in terms of the number of really talented, young players."

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Munster made it back-to-back Women's Interprovincial Championship titles with a 14-5 win over Leinster at Dexcom Stadium.

Following a handsome win in round one, the defending champions entered the game full of confidence, but were given a much tougher test this time around.

Leinster could have made a dream start when Sarah Delaney seemed set to touch down in the opening minute, but was held up over the line.

Munster were dealt an early blow when Enya Breen was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on but Leinster were unable to take advantage.

With numerical parity restored, Munster hit the front after 21 minutes as Beth Buttimer grabbed her second try of the championship as she squeezed over after a lengthy spell of possession and Caitriona Finn added the extras.

Two minutes before the break, Leinster found a response as from a maul, space opened up and Dannah O'Brien found Kathy Baker for an unconverted try.

Leinster pressed for the go-ahead score early in the second period but couldn't breach the Munster defence, with Erin King then held up when close to touching down.

They couldn't make their opportunities count and with 10 minutes remaining, Munster put daylight between the sides.

From a penalty to the corner, Munster set up the maul and Buttimer rumbled over for her second of the game with Enya Breen converting.

Siobhan McCarthy could have sealed it but was held up over the line, but there was no way back for Leinster as Munster retained their title.

Munster: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Clodagh O'Halloran; Sally Kelly, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O'Leary.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Alisha Flynn, Caoimhe Murphy, Niamh O'Mahony, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Andrea Murphy, Katie Corrigan.

Leinster: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins; Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Caoimhe Molloy, Sarah Delaney (capt), Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Kate Jordan; Regan Casey, Kathy Baker, Erin King.

Replacements: Emma Jane Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Hope Lowney, Roisin Kinch, Aoife Corcoran, Nikki Gibson, Alex Connor, Emma Tilly.

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

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Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship

Connacht (10) 10

Tries: Heaney, Deely

Ulster (24) 29

Tries: McKinley, Clenaghan 2, Marley, Sheerin Cons: Moyles 2

Ulster completed their Women's Interprovincial Championship campaign on a high with a third place finish, following a strong 29-10 victory over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

After a narrow 15-10 defeat by the western province in the opening interpro in August, Murray Houston's side came out determined to rectify the result and two tries by Maebh Clenaghan in the first half, along with scores by Olivia McKinley and Niamh Marley, gave the visitors a strong lead at the break.

Connacht made a flying start when Aoife Heaney raced through multiple defenders to score after just a minute, following a quick pop pass from Anna McGann.

Ulster hit back almost immediately with McKinley crossing from close range after a patient spell of possession to get her second senior try with Abby Moyles adding the conversion.

Houston's side extended their lead through a powerful maul, with Maebh Clenaghan dotting down.

Connacht responded on 13 minutes through Maebh Deeley who missed her own conversion, but they would lose Ailish Quinn to the sin bin after a series of penalties.

Ulster took advantage as Maebh Clenaghan got over for her second try and following a superb 50:22 from Moyles, a fine move off the line-out resulted in Marley finishing to open a 24-10 lead at the break.

It was a scrappier second period with the only score coming five minutes from time as Sheerin collected a crossfield kick by Moyles to cement an impressive victory and a third-place finish for Ulster.

Connacht: Clara Barrett; Aoife Heaney, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Clare Gorman; Meabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Stacy Hanley, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Roisin Power, Emily Foley, Siofra Hession, Sarah Purcell.

Ulster: Ella Durkan; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Leah Irwin, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Olivia McKinley, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Claire Boles (capt).

Replacements: Emily Whittle, Sophie Barrett, Ava Fannin, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Siobhan Sheerin, Rebecca Mann.

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Ireland's Mack Hansen will make his long-awaited return from injury in Connacht's pre-season friendly against RC Vannes in France on Friday evening.

The 28-year-old back has been sidelined since November with a foot problem which required surgery.

In addition to missing the second half of Connacht's 2025-26 season, Australia-born Hansen was forced to sit out Ireland's Six Nations campaign and last month's Nations Championship fixtures.

He has been named to start Friday's game at Stade de la Rabine at left wing in a team which also includes the returning Byron Ralston, who starts at centre in his first game since October.

Stuart Lancaster's side begin their United Rugby Championship campaign at home to Stormers on 25 September.

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Munster scored 10 tries as they secured a resounding 62-0 win over Ulster to secure a place in the Irish interprovincial final on 29 August.

Beth Buttimer and player-of-the-match Clodagh O'Halloran scored two tries apiece, with Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Corrigan, Emily Lane, Aoife Corey, Alana McInerney and Andrea Murphy also crossing.

Munster led 31-0 at half-time in Cork and doubled their advantage in the second half to take victory in emphatic fashion.

Enya Breen and replacement Caitriona Finn contributed three conversions each.

Munster will visit Connacht next Saturday, while Ulster host Leinster in Belfast.

Ulster lost 15-10 to Connacht in their opener last week.

Munster: Aoife Corey (capt); Katie Corrigan, Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Chisom Ugwueru; Enya Breen, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Eilís Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Aoibhe O'Flynn; Clodagh O'Halloran, Sally Kelly, Grace Moore.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Tuathla Ryan, Alisha Flynn, AnnaKate Cournane, Ava O'Malley, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Caitríona Finn, Andrea Murphy.

Ulster: Niamh Marley; Katie Gilmour, Caitlin Crowe, Lucy Thompson, Ciara Fitzsimons; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Sadhbh McGrath, India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett; Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Rebecca Beacom; Moya Hill, Christy Hill, Claire Boles.

Replacements: Maebh Clenaghan, Sarah Roberts, Ava Fannin, Olivia McKinley, Stacey Sloan, Georgia Boyce, Leah Irwin, Ella Durkan.

Image source, Getty Images

The Irish Rugby Football Union have awarded four new central contracts for the 2026-27 season.

Forwards Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilis Cahill have all been brought on to deals with the IRFU.

The quartet were involved in the wider squad for the Six Nations this year, while the latter made her Test debut against England in Twickenham during the championship.

Scott Bemand's side will have 31 centrally contracted players for the new campaign with Linda Djougang also returning among the number.

The veteran prop, who won her 50th cap during last year's World Cup, remained first-choice for the national side last season despite stepping away from the full-time programme to focus on other interests.

Ireland's WXV Global Series begins in September with a pair of home games.

They play USA in Dublin on 20 September, before hosting Japan on 27 September in Galway.

The latter opposition will play a second Test outside of the WXV window on 3 October before Ireland travel to South Africa for a pair of matches in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.

Ireland central contracts 2026-27

Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Ellen Boylan, Beth Buttimer, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Hannah Clarke, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang, Caitriona Finn, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Kate Jordan, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Emily Lane, Lucia Linn, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath, Aoibheann McGrath, Alana McInerney, Jane Neill, Dannah O'Brien, Robyn O'Connor, Beibhinn Parsons, Ailish Quinn, Aoibheann Reilly, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Whelan.

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Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss several months of the new season following hip surgery.

The 34-year-old, who won the last of his 86 Ireland caps against New Zealand in November, missed the end of the northern province's season through suspension.

A red card against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC) resulted in a three-game ban that included the Challenge Cup final defeat by Montpellier in Bilbao.

The second row made his Ulster debut in April 2012 and first appeared for Ireland against South Africa in November of the same year.

A two-time tourist with the British and Irish Lions, he was named captain of his province following Rory Best's retirement in 2019.

Ulster start their URC season at home to Edinburgh on 25 September and Henderson is not head coach Richie Murphy's sole injury concern.

Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) have all also had surgery during the off-season and, according to the province, "are currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation".

Issy Todd
BBC Sport NI contributor

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Ulster second row Fiona Tuite said her side "need to execute more" after their narrow 15-10 defeat against Connacht in the first round of their Interprovincial Championship.

The two sides were level after a tight first half, but a dominant second period from the Westerners helped them to victory.

Despite the home defeat, Tuite believes there were positives to take for her side.

"That was one of the feistiest Ulster performances we've had, particularly in opening games. Usually we leave it until the final, but that was incredible," she told BBC Sport NI.

"Connacht were brilliant. Their backs throw the ball so well and then Anna McGann just glides through to score tries.

"The girls put in a serious shift and I'm really proud of everything they did today. I'm looking forward to building again for next week."

Next up for Ulster is a trip to Musgrave Park to take on Munster on Saturday, 15 August and Tuite wants her side to be better in a number of areas as they hunt a first victory.

"We need to execute a bit more, particularly our lineout. When we get opportunities down towards the 22, we need to be more clinical," she added.

"Our defence today was incredible. We need to continue that. It's our new standard.

"If we focus on those areas and execute them, keep the defence where it is and play in the right areas, we'll be flying.

"We have wins in us. I think they're coming. We're on the brink of it. We have even more young girls coming through and hopefully our internationals will get a few more minutes next week."

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Ulster have added centre Daniel Hawkshaw and back row Martin Moloney to their squad ahead of the new United Rugby Championship season.

Hawkshaw, 24, played under Ulster head coach Richie Murphy with Ireland's Under-20s and won a Grand Slam in 2022.

He came through Connacht's academy and was also part of Ireland's Sevens programme.

Back row Moloney, 26, most recently had a two-year stint with Exeter Chiefs and came through Leinster's academy before he made the move to England in 2024.

Both players have signed one-year deals with Murphy's side.

Rory Best, Ulster's general manager, said he was "delighted" to welcome the pair to the Affidea Stadium.

"Both are talented players who have shown their potential and ability at club level," Best said.

"Both provide us with more depth options and competition for places as we prepare for the new season ahead."

Ulster start their new campaign at home to Edinburgh on 25 September.