Ireland Women Set For Busy November With Training Camps And Wales Test
Ireland's Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird hands off Amy Evans during their Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff back in March ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
The Irish Rugby Football Union are pleased to announce that the Ireland Women are set for a busy October-November schedule as they build towards their upcoming Test against Wales with training camps against Scotland and France.
In preparation for their clash with Wales at the UCD Bowl on Sunday, November 10 (kick-off 1pm), the Ireland Women’s squad will have two away training camps, which will include training games against Scotland (October 26-27) and France (November 2-3).
The coaches have been closely watching the progress of many players throughout the expanded IRFU Women’s Interprovincial Championship, which comes to an exciting conclusion at Energia Park this Saturday as holders Leinster and Connacht battle it out for the title.
Like Ireland, Scotland are seeking qualification next year for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, while France, who have already qualified for the tournament, currently sit third in the World Rugby Rankings.
With new sponsor Energia on board and Suttonians and Malone reaching the top tier, the Women’s All-Ireland League will be back with a bang on Saturday, October 12. The league fixtures will lead the Ireland squad towards the turn of the year and their much-anticipated Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Energia Park on Sunday, February 2.
Anthony Eddy, the IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, commented:
We are pleased to welcome Wales Women to Dublin this November. This match, building on the Interpros as well as a camp and training match with Scotland and another camp and training match with France, will provide the squad with some valuable match experience leading into a big year for Irish Women’s rugby.
“Unfortunately, we were let down badly with a team withdrawing from a Test match on November 17. However, we are delighted to be playing Wales and working with the Scottish and French will provide good preparation for the squad.
“It is certainly an exciting time for the Women’s game with Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification coming up in the summer of 2020.”
Ireland Women’s head coach Adam Griggs is looking forward to a big season ahead. He said:
It’s great to have Wales travelling over for this Test match. We always have extremely competitive matches against them and both teams are always willing to play an attacking style of rugby which makes for an entertaining game.
“This is the fourth year we have had a Test match in November, and it’s proving to be a brilliant building block for us in terms of coming together as a squad and laying the foundation for our preparations leading into the Six Nations in 2020.”
IRELAND WOMEN’S SCHEDULE – KEY DATES:
October 26-27: Training Camp & Game, Scotland
November 2-3: Training Camp & Game, France
Sunday, November 10: Ireland Women v Wales Women, UCD Bowl, 1pm
2020 Women’s Six Nations Championship:
Sunday, February 2: Ireland Women v Scotland Women, Energia Park, 1pm
Sunday, February 9: Ireland Women v Wales Women, Energia Park, 1pm
Sunday, February 23: England Women v Ireland Women, Castle Park, Doncaster, 12.45pm
Sunday, March 8: Ireland Women v Italy Women, Energia Park, 1pm
Sunday, March 15: France Women v Ireland Women, Le Stadium Villeneuve d’Acsq, Lille, 4.35pm local time/3.35pm Irish time