Following the recent history-breaking Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign, Ireland now turn their attention to World Rugby’s new WXV Global Series, which will see the top 12 teams in the world compete in a home-and-away touring model within the September and October international window.
Ireland will open their 2026/27 campaign with back-to-back home matches as Bemand’s side host USA and Japan in September, before travelling to face South Africa in a two-match series in October.
Tallaght Stadium in Dublin will host its first Women’s Test match as Ireland go head-to-head with USA on Sunday, 20 September, before Galway’s Dexcom Stadium stages the visit of Japan on Sunday, 27 September.
Additionally, Bemand’s side will play Japan outside the WXV Global Series window at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, 3 October, providing Ireland with another valuable Test match opportunity before departing for South Africa.
Athlone Stadium in Cape Town will then host the first Women’s Test series between South Africa and Ireland as the sides go head-to-head on consecutive weekends on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October.
The two teams have only ever met once before, with Ireland winning 37-0 in their meeting at the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Canada.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Head Coach Bemand said: “We’re delighted to have our Autumn schedule confirmed, with five Test matches forming an important part of our ongoing development and growth as we look to build on the Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign and continue to grow our Green Wave.
"We're really excited by the opportunities these fixtures present for the squad. Japan and the USA are quality international teams who will challenge us in different ways, and those experiences are invaluable as we continue to grow and develop. We look forward to welcoming them to Ireland.
"Our Autumn programme then culminates in a two-Test series against South Africa in Cape Town, which will provide another excellent challenge in a demanding environment and is exactly why the addition of the WXV Global Series is invaluable for us.”
Kick off times and broadcast details for Ireland’s home matches in Dublin, Galway and Cork will be confirmed in due course.
Ireland Fixtures
WXV Global Series:
Sunday, 20 September: Ireland v USA, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 27 September: Ireland v Japan, Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Test Match:
Saturday, 3 October: Ireland v Japan, Virgin Media Park, Cork
WXV Global Series:
Saturday, 24 October: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (3pm local time/2pm Irish time)
Saturday, 31 October: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (3pm local time/2pm Irish time).
