Ireland’s International Women Make Their Mark
To celebrate International Women’s Day we are taking a look back at some of the highlights from our International Women in recent seasons.
There is more to come from Ireland’s ‘international Women’ – in June we host the final Olympic Sevens Repechage tournament as Women’s Sevens Dublin comes to town again, and in 2017 Ireland will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Why not celebrate our ‘international Women’ at Donnybrook on Sunday – Ireland Women v Italy Women: tickets on sale now: click here.
For now though we look back at just some of the highlights from the girls in green in recent seasons:
Grand Slam 2013
The Ireland Women’s team secured an historic first ever Grand Slam and RBS 6 Nations Championship win following a tense 6-3 victory over Italy in March 2013.
After many years of hard work, this win catapulted the Women’s game into the national consciousness with the match against Italy shown live on RTE Two and huge crowds in Dublin Airport to welcome the players and coaches home.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014
Ireland travelled to the Women’s Rugby World Cup with high hopes of their best tournament to date. Despite a semi-final loss to England it will always be remembered as the one where we beat New Zealand.
In a thrilling match, the girls in green became the first Irish team – male or female – to win an international 15-a-side match against a New Zealand team, ending the Black Ferns’ 20-match unbeaten World Cup run in the process (their last defeat was back at the 1991 tournament).
Women’s Six Nations 2015
A new-look squad, a new coach and some of the key personnel had retired. 2015 was to be a season to rebuild and bring in new talent, but the girls in green had different ideas.
New captain Niamh Briggs guided the team through the tournament and new stars emerged as Ireland clinched the title on the final day with a huge win over Scotland and making it a double for Irish Rugby.
Women’s Sevens Dublin
July 2015 saw Ireland host its first ever World Rugby international Sevens tournament and there was plenty at stake – a place on the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series and a step along the road to the Olympics.
12 countries, two days and it was Sevens heaven as Ireland clinched a qualifying spot and ensured their place on the World Series circuit.
Ireland Women v Italy Women: tickets on sale now – click here.