Wafer To Move To Harlequins After Rugby World Cup

Harlequins Women have today announced the signing of Ireland international Aoife Wafer.

The 22-year-old back rower will join the English PWR club, having just been honoured as the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for 2025.

She also made the 2024 World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team line-up after a standout campaign for Ireland in WXV1, which included a win over reigning World champions New Zealand.

Wafer, who currently plays for Blackrock College and Leinster, was part of the Wolfhounds team that retained the Celtic Challenge title this year.

She made her Ireland debut in 2022, against Italy in Cork, and has since gone on to become a key figure in the national team.

The Wexford native helped Scott Bemand’s side to secure consecutive third place finishes in the Six Nations, as well as qualification for the WXV1 tournament last season, and the upcoming Rugby World Cup which takes place in England in August and September.

Speaking about her move to Harlequins, Wafer said: “The history that the club is steeped in is something that really stood out to me.

“I’m really looking forward to being here, and I can’t wait to get going. This league has all the star players in the world in it. I want to be the best player in the world, and I can’t wait to test myself out against those stars every week.

“I was very lucky to come over to a game a few months ago and meet some of the girls, and the family values were something that really stood out to me. That’s really important to me, and I know that my family will be well looked after over here as well.”

Keen to ensure that she continues to show the skillset she has displayed in the international game in Harlequins colours, Wafer added:

Hopefully what people have seen on the international stage is what they’ll get from me at ‘Quins!

“I’m going to be working incredibly hard to be the best version of myself, and hopefully that can really benefit the team, because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about whole team.”

Commenting on today’s announcement, IRFU Head of Women’s Performance & Pathways, Gillian McDarby, added: “We’re pleased for Aoife as she takes this next step in her career with Harlequins, where she will have the opportunity to further her development in a high-performance environment.

“Her journey is a testament to the investment and progress within the Irish system, which continues to produce talent capable of performing at the highest level. We look forward to continue working with Aoife in green during the international windows.”