Greg McWilliams’ side will play the Sakura Fifteen in a two-Test Series which will form part of a summer development programme

An extended Ireland squad will come together for a series of summer camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre before travelling to Japan in August for back-to-back matches against the host nation.

McWilliams’ side will open the Series against Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka on Saturday 20th August. The second Test against Lesley McKenzie’s side will be a week later, on Saturday 27th August, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

Sides last met in November 2021

The two teams most recently faced each other during the 2021 November Tests at the RDS in Dublin, with Ireland earning a 15-12 win on that occasion.

Japan, currently ranked 12th in the world, are coming off the back of a historic Test win over Australia and are currently preparing for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October.

“The TikTok Women’s Six Nations was the first staging post on our journey together as a squad and a summer programme, including two Tests against Japan, is an exciting opportunity for us to build on that,” McWilliams says.

“We will come together as an extended squad in July and it will be invaluable for us as a coaching staff to have the chance to work with a number of new players, including those who have impressed in the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League and in the recent U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival.

Nichola Fryday looking forward to Japanese games

Ireland captain Nichola Fryday commented:

“We finished the TikTok Women’s Six Nations campaign on a high with that memorable win over Scotland in Belfast to secure third place, and it is now exciting for us to turn our attention to an Invitational Series against Japan this summer.”

Kick-off times and broadcast details for the two-Test Series against Japan will be confirmed in due course.

Ireland Women v Japan, August 2022:

Japan v Ireland, Saturday 20th August, Ecopa Stadium

Japan v Ireland, Saturday 27th August, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

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Ireland women’s rugby are back in action after their heartbreak in Parma. The side was narrowly beaten and missed out on qualification for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand.

This has been a hectic week in the media for the players after the Director of Irish women’s rugby Anthony Eddy made controversial claims to the media about the team’s lack of success. Some current and former players have spoken out against the Director on social media in recent days.

Anthony Eddy's comments have now been described as "slurry" by a member of the current Ireland team who is in camp preparing to play on Friday and "spineless" by a current player and recent international. Quite an impacthttps://t.co/14wizGx9fp

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 9, 2021

Players Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Nichola Fryday spoke in a press conference today and said that they are only focused on their job at hand; their game against the Americans.

Manager Adam Griggs has shown his excitement in facing the star-studded USA team:

“We have had two good weeks of preparation for the Autumn Tests and the group are excited to get back out on the pitch and put that hard work into action. A first Test at the RDS under Friday night lights will be a special occasion and we’re looking forward to having family, friends, and our supporters back in the stands to get behind us.”

Ireland v USA Eagles will kick off at 19:45 on Friday 12th November in the RDS.

Their next match will be against Japan at 15:00 on Saturday 20th November.

Ireland Women’s squad v USA Eagle

Ireland women: 15. Lauren Delany, 14. Laura Sheehan, 13. Eimear Considine, 12. Sene Naoupu, 11. Beibhinn Parsons, 10. Stacey Flood, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Leah Lyons, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Ciara Griffin (c), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice

Replacements: 16. Neve Jones, 17. Katie O’Dwyer, 18. Linda Djougang, 19. Hannah O’Connor, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international club rugby news, click here.

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Adam Griggs will vacate the Head Coach position when his current contract expires next month. His appointment that began in November 2017 will now come to an end. He will remain in charge for Ireland’s back-to-back Test matches against USA and Japan.

The IRFU has now announced the choice to appoint Greg McWilliams to fill in.

McWilliams brings a wealth of experience to the position. He will commence his role on 1st December to begin preparations with the squad for the 2022 Six Nations.

The 43-year-old was previously part of the Ireland Women’s coaching team. He served as an assistant coach for the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups, as well as the 2013 Six Nations-winning campaign.

During his time in America, McWilliams was the Director of Rugby at Yale University and USA Eagles in 2017. McWilliams’ most recent role was Head Coach of Major League Rugby outfit Rugby United New York.

Commenting on today’s announcement, IRFU Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy, said:

“I would like to thank Adam for his commitment and dedication to the position.”

“Although there was disappointment with the outcome of the World Cup qualification, the squad has developed under his direction, and players have been identified and developed to a stage where now the incoming coach, Greg McWilliams, has a good squad to work with for the future.”

Griggs will move into the position of IRFU Provincial Talent Coach for Leinster, focusing on Talent ID and Player Development across both the Men’s and Women’s games.

He said: “It has been an enjoyable and challenging period. It was bitterly disappointing to exit the World Cup qualification as we did, however, I believe the group can take pride in their personal growth and development as rugby players.

“Personally, I will take plenty of learning from this experience which I look forward to implementing in the future. I would like to thank the players and support staff for their unwavering commitment to the green jersey and I look forward to watching a talented group grow into world-class players under Greg’s tutelage.”

Ahead of commencing his role with the IRFU, McWilliams commented: “It’s such an exciting time for women’s sport globally. There is a terrific energy building and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that journey, continuing on from the great work paved by Adam and his staff. I’m most looking forward to meeting the staff at the IRFU High-Performance Centre, the players, and their families.

The IRFU will announce the squad for the Autumn Tests against USA and Japan early next week

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish international and provincial rugby news, click here.

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Broughton played for Leinster at senior level and has also represented Ballymena and DLSP in the All-Ireland League.

The New Zealander has led the rugby programme at Leinster’s Ken Wall Centre of Excellence in Energia Park since it opened in 2019 and has been an Elite Player Development Officer for the province since 2016.

He was an assistant coach to Andy Wood when Clontarf won AIL titles in 2014 and 2016 and has coached Leinster representative sides for over 15 years at A, U-20, U-19, and Ireland at U-18 Schools and U-18 Sevens.

Broughton was an assistant coach on John O’Sullivan’s coaching ticket with the Ireland Senior Women’s XV.

He took on O’Sullivan’s role on an interim basis following his departure prior to the FIRA European Championships in 2008.

The new Academy Manager replaces former Ireland U20 manager Noel McNamara in the role.

Peter Smyth, IRFU Head of Elite Player Development, said: “Simon has been doing great work identifying and nurturing talent in Leinster’s player pathway working with both Leinster Provincial Talent Squad and IRFU National Talent Squad players.

“He has a clear vision and understanding of the talent identification and player development processes and will bring a fresh perspective to supporting young elite players across the region.

“His strong connections with clubs and schools will also be invaluable in further developing relationships and identifying opportunities for greater collaboration.”

Broughton commented: “It’s a privilege to take on the Leinster Academy Manager’s role and to progress the great work Noel, Peter and Girvan have delivered before me.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to work with a great group of people, to support Leo, the senior coaching team and I’m committed to enhancing our Academy players development both individually and collectively as they aspire to contribute to the culture and values of the team.

“I also look forward to strengthening our relationships within our community and collaborating with our rugby department to create quality environments within our clubs and schools.”

Leo Cullen, Leinster Rugby head coach, said: “This is a critical appointment for Leinster Rugby and in particular the continuing development of our player pathway model.

“Simon will add considerably to the body of work already delivered in the past by Noel (McNamara), Peter (Smyth), Girvan (Dempsey) and Collie (McEntee).

“Simon has a wealth of experience in his own playing capacity and over the last number of years with age-grade and development sides but more than that he understands from his work over the last few years the value we place on the player pathway in Leinster Rugby.

“It is a pathway that saw 15 players play for the Leinster Rugby senior team for the first time last season.

“Those players come from our clubs and our schools. They played in the Shane Horgan Cup, in the Bank of Ireland Junior and Senior Schools Cup and had taken their first representative steps at age grade level.

“That pathway is critical to our future success and I am delighted that we have someone in the position that already has a first-hand understanding of its importance to us as a club.

“I look forward to working closely with Simon and I wish him all the very best in his new role.”

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The training squads includes four players uncapped at senior level for the national side – Ireland Sevens captain Lucy Mulhall, Kathryn Buggy, Mary Healy and Sam Monaghan.

The latter trio are all IQ Rugby identified players that are plying their trade abroad.

Their inclusion in the squad brings the total amount of IQ Rugby identified players in the training squad up to 12.

Head Coach Adam Griggs has expressed his excitement to get back to work with the senior side.

“The players are refreshed and energised about our first squad camp this weekend and look forward to starting our preparation for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers after a productive 2021 Women’s Six Nations,” Griggs said.

“While it is our first camp back together, we will be driving the standards that have been set and expect this pre-season block to be extremely competitive. There are some new faces in the group while we also welcome back a number of players from injury so it’s an ideal opportunity for them to put their hand up during this window.

This is a hugely important year for women in Irish Rugby and as such it’s brilliant to welcome the new #NothingLikeIt initiative. Working with this group of international players, I understand what that means and I look forward to supporting the campaign and seeing it progress throughout the coming months.”

Ireland Training Squad

Backs (15):

Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/ Ulster)
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/ IQ Rugby)
Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/ Munster)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster)
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster)*
Ellen Murphy (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)
Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock College/ Connacht)
Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)

Forwards (24):

Judy Bobbett (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster)
Kathryn Buggy (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)*
Anna Caplice (Harlequins/ IQ Rugby)
Ciara Cooney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Laura Feely (Blackrock College/ Connacht)
Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/ Connacht)
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Mary Healy (Lindenwood University/IQ Rugby)*
Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster)
Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)
Leah Lyons (Harlequins/ IQ Rugby)
Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/ Leinster)
Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Claire Molloy (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/ IQ Rugby)
Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)*
Grace Moore (Railway Union/IQ Rugby)
Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/ Leinster)
Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/ Leinster)
Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster)
Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/ Munster)

*Uncapped players

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The remaining 2020 fixtures for the Irish Women’s Rugby team have been cut short due to current COVID-19 restrictions. The announcement means Ireland will not face France in their final Six Nations clash. The competition will finish as it stands now, with England crowned as Grand Slam Winners.

Ireland were originally scheduled to play France on October 31st. The game was moved to Donneybrook to facilitate Ireland’s amateur players who would’ve had to quarantine for 14 days had they travelled to France. However, the game was soon called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the French camp.

CEO of Six Nations Rugby, Ben Morel expressed his disappointment as the “cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum around the women’s game and for the Women’s Six Nations in particular”. Nevertheless, Morel admits that a decision was made after “every possible option” was first explored.

2021 World Cup Qualifiers postponed

In addition to the Six Nations match against France, Ireland were also set to kickstart their 2021 World Cup qualifying campaign in December. These games have now been postponed until the new year. In spite of the bad news, IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy, remains positive. He will now seek opportunities for the squad to continue to train and prepare for the RWC qualifiers.

IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy, today said that they will look at the performance opportunities available to his women’s team after World Rugby, Rugby Europe and Six Nations confirmed fixture postponements and cancelations due to COVID-19. https://t.co/7QmGnM12Nc

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 10, 2020

The draw for the Women’s 2021 RWC in New Zealand is set to take place on the 20th of November.

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