Bemand Brings Together Ireland Squad For Training Camp

Head coach Scott Bemand has selected 37 players for a three-day training camp as the Ireland Women’s squad (sponsored by Aon) launch their preparations for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

The extended panel assembled at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday to reconnect as a group, following the Rugby World Cup, and turn their attention to the 2026 Championship, which begins against England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, April 11.

Having missed the World Cup campaign through injury, there is a welcome return to the squad for Dorothy Wall and Erin King, while Bemand has included 10 uncapped players for the three-day camp in Dublin.

Forwards Beth Buttimer, Cara McLean, Jemima Adams Verling, India Daley, Rosie Searle, and Sophie Barrett are all part of the selected group, along with uncapped backs Alana McInerney, Caitriona Finn, Niamh Gallagher, and Robyn O’Connor, most of whom have recently impressed in the Celtic Challenge.

Additionally, Alan O’Connor, the former Ulster second row, has joined the coaching team of Bemand, James Scaysbrook (defence coach), Gareth Steenson (backs & kicking coach), and Denis Fogarty (scrum coach) as forwards coach ahead of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Ireland will open their Championship in London, before hosting Italy at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, April 18 (kick-off 5.40pm), in what will be a milestone occasion for Irish Rugby.

Secure your tickets for a historic occasion at Aviva Stadium!

The newly-renovated home of Connacht Rugby, which officially opens next week, will play host to its first Women’s Six Nations match, with the Ireland Women’s only previous appearance in Galway being a 15-8 victory over Canada in April 2006.

Bemand’s charges then travel to France in round 3 on Saturday, April 25 (kick-off 9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish time), before concluding the Championship with back-to-back home games in Belfast and Dublin.

Ulster’s Affidea Stadium has staged a number of Women’s internationals in recent years, and Wales will be the visitors to Belfast in round 4 on Saturday, May 9 (kick-off 6.30pm), before Scotland come to the Aviva Stadium on the final weekend on Sunday, May 17 (kick-off 2.30pm).

The round 5 clash will be the first ever standalone Women’s international at the home of Irish Rugby, and ticket sales have already passed the 12,000 mark.

IRELAND WOMEN’S Training Squad (Pre-2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations):

Backs (15) –

Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby) *
Robyn O’Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) *
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)

Forwards (22) –

Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Aoife Wafer (Harlequins/Leinster)
Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) *
Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks/Ulster)
Cara McLean (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) *
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs/Munster)
Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)
Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) *
India Daley (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster) *
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Niamh O’Dowd (Gloucester-Hartpury/Leinster)
Rosie Searle (Navan RFC/Leinster) *
Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)
Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster) *

* Denotes uncapped player