Ben Martin To Coach Leinster Women’s Team

Martin represented his native Australia on the Sevens circuit during a playing career which saw him also taken to Munster.

He served as a player-coach at Kanturk in the Energia All-Ireland League, before coaching the UL Bohemian Women to the All-Ireland League title and picking up the 2019 Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division Coach of the Year award.

He then moved to coach the Blackrock College Women in 2020 and guided them to two All-Ireland League finals, one of which they won against Railway Union at Energia Park in December 2022.

Most recently, he served on Neill Alcorn’s coaching ticket as the Wolfhounds won nine of their ten games to retain the Celtic Challenge crown.

Commenting on the appointment, Philip Lawlor, Leinster Rugby’s Head of Rugby Development, said: “We are delighted to have Ben come on board to take the Leinster Women’s side for this season.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into the role having been involved with the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge.

“We all appreciate that this will be a different type of Interprovincial Series, with the Ireland Women’s side preparing for and participating in the Rugby World Cup (in August and September).

“With a significant number of players from Leinster involved with the World Cup squad, it will be a great opportunity for Ben to work with a young and talented group of upcoming players, and we wish him all the best for the season ahead.”

Speaking to the Leinster Rugby website about his new position, Martin said: “It’s an exciting time, obviously, with a Women’s World Cup on the horizon, as well. There’s a chance to potentially unearth some diamonds that haven’t been found yet within the pathways of Women’s rugby.

I’m excited. It’s a big challenge. There’s a nice history with what’s happened, especially in the recent history, with Leinster being back-to-back champions, so that puts a little bit of pressure on us. But yeah, it’s an exciting couple of months ahead.

“The easy thing to do would be to have a look at the five AIL teams and just pick the top of the available players from that. But we’ve cast that net a little bit wider, especially with the younger group that potentially could be there with the players that are missing with the World Cup.

“So we’ve got 70-odd names that we’re going to be taking a close look at for the first couple of weeks of the training camps, and what happens with that (Ireland) Under-20 squad where players might filter back.”

Martin will be joined by a coaching staff featuring a mix of familiar and new faces.

“A name that’s synonymous with the Leinster jersey, Michelle Claffey (pictured above) will join us as our backs and defence coach,” he explained.

“And a new name that might not be familiar within Women’s rugby is Charlie Doel, who will take on the role of the forwards coach.

“Matt Gill, who is in charge of the Women’s National Talent Squad (WNTS), will be helping us out with the set-piece and scrum. I’m excited to be working with the three of those guys, along with the extended management team.”

LEINSTER WOMEN’S COACHING STAFF – 2025/26 SEASON:

Ben Martin: Head Coach
Charlie Doel: Forwards Coach
Michelle Claffey: Backs Coach
Matt Gill: Set-Piece Coach
Hayley Whyte: Manager

2025/26 VODAFONE WOMEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES:

ROUND 1:

Sunday, August 10 –

Leinster v Ulster, Energia Park, 2.30pm
Munster v Connacht, Virgin Media Park, 4.15pm

ROUND 2:

Saturday, August 16 –

Leinster v Munster, Energia Park, 2.30pm
Connacht v Ulster, Dexcom Stadium, 4.15pm

ROUND 3:

Saturday, August 23 –

Connacht v Leinster, Dexcom Stadium, 2.30pm
Ulster v Munster, Kingspan Stadium, 4.15pm

FINALS DAY:

Saturday, August 30 –

Games will be played at Energia Park