IRFU confirm Womens’ Performance Progmamme

THE IRFU has today confirmed the list of centrally contracted players across the Women’s High Performance Programme, as preparations step up a gear for the start of the 2026/27 international season.
The composition of the centralised group reflects the IRFU’s long-term strategy to develop and retain emerging talent, increase competition within the Women’s High Performance Programme and provide a clear pathway for players to progress through the national system and compete for the green jersey.
Building on last year’s record-breaking Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign, the 2026/27 centralised programme group represents the continued evolution of the Women’s High Performance Programme, the make up of which is designed to strengthen competition across key positions and ensure the centralised environment is best placed to support Head Coach Scott Bemand and the team’s ambitions for the season ahead.
Four players have been awarded their first national contracts, as forwards Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Aoibheann McGrath and Eilís Cahill – who made her Ireland debut during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations – all join the full-time programme for the 2026/27 season, while Linda Djougang also returns to the centralised system.
Commenting on today’s announcement, IRFU Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways, Gillian McDarby, said: “The full-time centralised programme continues to evolve and develop as we look to create the strongest possible High-Performance environment for our players and build towards our long-term ambitions for the women’s game.
“A key part of that is identifying, developing and retaining the best young talent in Irish Rugby, and we’re particularly excited to welcome four young forwards into the programme. They have shown huge potential and bringing them into a full-time environment will give them the opportunity to accelerate their development, while also increasing competition and depth within the group.
“The announcement of this contracted group is not the end of that process. The Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship provides another important opportunity for players across the four Provinces to put their hands up, and there is scope for further contracts to be awarded to players who impress during the Championship.
“We want to continue driving standards throughout the programme and create a competitive environment where players are consistently challenged to develop and perform. That competition, alongside a strong pathway from the domestic and provincial game into the national programme, will be hugely important as we continue to move forward in this cycle.”
Preparations are now well underway for the start of the WXV Global Series in September as Ireland return to action with three home matches before travelling to face South Africa in a two-match series in Cape Town 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.
Tickets for all three home matches in Dublin, Galway and Cork are now available on General Sale.
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.
Broadcast details for Ireland’s matches in September and October will be confirmed in due course.
Ireland Women’s Centrally Contracted Players – 2026/27 Season:
Jemima Adams Verling, Sophie Barrett, Ellen Boylan, Beth Buttimer, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Hannah Clarke, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang, Caitriona Finn, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Kate Jordan, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Emily Lane, Lucia Linn, Anna McGann, Sadhbh McGrath, Aoibheann McGrath, Alana McInerney, Jane Neill, Dannah O’Brien, Robyn O’Connor, Beibhinn Parsons, Ailish Quinn, Aoibheann Reilly, Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, Chisom Ugwueru, Katie Whelan.

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