Ireland Women have confirmed a five-Test autumn schedule as part of the inaugural WXV Global Series, with home fixtures against the USA and Japan preceding a historic two-match series against South Africa in Cape Town.

Scott Bemand’s side, who finished third in this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations behind England and France, will open their 2026/27 campaign with back-to-back home matches in September before travelling to South Africa in October.

The new WXV Global Series replaces the previous WXV competition, with the world’s top 12 teams now competing in a home-and-away touring format during the September and October international windows.

Home fixtures

Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium will host a Women’s Test match for the first time when Ireland welcome the USA on Sunday, 20 September. The ground, best known as the home of Shamrock Rovers, adds another new venue to the growing list of Irish grounds staging women’s internationals.

A week later, Ireland face Japan at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Sunday, 27 September. The Connacht venue was the stage for Ireland’s emphatic Six Nations victory over Italy earlier this year, and Bemand’s squad will be keen to build on that occasion.

Ireland then host Japan again at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, 3 October, in a Test match scheduled outside the WXV Global Series window. The Cork venue has become a regular home for women’s and under-20s internationals in recent years, underlining the IRFU’s commitment to bringing the game to supporters across the country.

South Africa Series

The autumn programme concludes with consecutive Tests against South Africa at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October (2pm Irish time). The two teams have met only once before — a 37–0 Ireland victory at the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Canada — making this a first-ever Test series between the sides.

South Africa were one of the standout teams at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, and Bemand acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead.

Bemand reaction

Speaking on the announcement, Ireland Women’s 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.

“To have three home matches across Tallaght Stadium, Dexcom Stadium and Virgin Media Park gives us the chance to connect with our supporters right across the country again and build momentum as a group heading into the season ahead.

“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 the three home matches 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 (2pm Irish time)
Saturday, 31 October — South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (2pm Irish time)

Ireland finished their inaugural WXV1 campaign on a high note, coming from behind to secure a 26-14 bonus-point victory against the USA at BC Place in Vancouver. The win, which saw Ireland score three tries in the final quarter, was largely aided by the Eagles’ lack of discipline, as they conceded 19 penalties and three yellow cards in the closing stages.

The match began with Ireland dominating possession, but failing to capitalise on early opportunities. USA struck first through Hope Rogers, who scored two tries on her 50th cap appearance, giving the Eagles a 14-7 halftime lead. Rogers’ first try came in the 18th minute, as she muscled her way over the line after a period of sustained pressure from the USA pack. Her second, on the stroke of halftime, came from another close-range effort, following a break from centre Alev Kelter.

Ireland’s sole first-half score came from Erin King in the 28th minute. The flanker, showcasing quick thinking, caught the American defence off-guard with a tap penalty just metres from the line. King fended off multiple defenders to crash over, continuing her try-scoring form from the earlier match against New Zealand.

The turning point came in the 62nd minute when USA flanker Tahlia Brody was sin-binned for an offside infringement. This resulted in a penalty try for Ireland that levelled the score at 14-14. The penalty try was awarded after Brody intercepted a pass from replacement scrum-half Molly Scuffil-McCabe in an offside position, with the referee deeming a probable try was prevented.

From there, the floodgates opened as Ireland took full advantage of their numerical superiority. Cliodhna Moloney, whose return to the national setup after a two-and-a-half-year absence has been a feel-good story for Irish rugby, scored the go-ahead try in the 72nd minute. This try came from a well-executed lineout maul, with Moloney, at the back of the drive, managing to keep her fingertips on the ball as she grounded it. The try was initially not given but was awarded after a TMO review.

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe sealed the bonus point with a try in the 75th minute. This score came from a sweeping backline move, with captain Enya Breen providing a long, accurate pass to put Murphy Crowe into space. The sevens specialist showcased her pace and finishing ability, breaking through a tackle to dive over in the corner.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 11: Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe of Ireland celebrates scoring her team’s third try with teammate Ruth Campbell during the WXV 1 2024 match between USA and Ireland at BC Place on October 11, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The victory marks a successful debut for Ireland in the top tier of the WXV competition, following their promotion from WXV3 last year. With two wins from three matches, including a memorable victory over world champions New Zealand in the opening round, Scott Bemand’s side have shown remarkable progress and resilience throughout the tournament.

Player of the match Erin King continued her impressive form, following up her brace against New Zealand with another try and strong defensive performance. The introduction of Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half in the second half proved crucial, as her quick thinking led to the penalty try that swung momentum in Ireland’s favour.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 11: Erin King of Ireland poses for a photo after being awarded Mastercard Player of the Match during the WXV 1 2024 match between USA and Ireland at BC Place on October 11, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

For the USA, the result caps a disappointing WXV1 campaign in which they lost all three matches. Despite moments of promise, particularly in the first half, their inability to maintain discipline ultimately cost them the game and any chance of finishing the tournament on a positive note.

USA Head Coach Sione Fukofuka commented after the game:”We were really confident, but unfortunately discipline and the yellow cards made it really hard against a really good Irish team. We’ve had four weeks together, a WXV 1 tournament against some of the best teams in the world. We’re really pleased at we’re we’ve grown to, but back in the game we could’ve been a little smarter and our discipline was a challenge.”

As Ireland look ahead to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, this performance and overall tournament showing will undoubtedly boost their confidence. The team’s ability to close out games strongly and capitalise on opponents’ mistakes bodes well for their future prospects in international competition.

“The competition doesn’t sit still; things keep getting harder and harder. But we’re starting to now understand and can actually evidence that we can come through hard games, games where we’re out in front, ball-in-hand games, games where we got to show a bit of tenacity” head coach Scott Bemand said as he reflected on the performance.

England’s Red Roses produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby to dismantle world champions New Zealand 49-31 in their WXV1 clash in Vancouver. The victory, spearheaded by a hat-trick from Jess Breach and braces from Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne, extends England’s winning streak to 19 matches and cements their status as favourites for next year’s World Cup.

Job done in Langley 🫡

One more to go. #NZLvENG | #WXV pic.twitter.com/eLtAbPDU1O

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 6, 2024

The Black Ferns, smarting from their opening round defeat to Ireland, started with intent. Number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker powered over from a five-metre scrum after just six minutes, brushing off Natasha Hunt’s tackle attempt. Renee Holmes added the conversion to give New Zealand an early 7-0 lead.

However, England’s response was swift and clinical. Abby Dow showcased her blistering pace and strength, fending off Renee Holmes with a powerful hand-off to level the scores just two minutes later.

The Red Roses then began to assert their dominance, with their back three proving particularly lethal. Jess Breach crossed for her first try in the 18th minute, finishing off a slick backline move that saw Hunt ship a flat pass to Rowland, who shimmied the ball sideways to Breach in the corner.

Ellie Kildunne, the world’s leading try-scorer in 2024, added to her tally with two tries before halftime. Her first came after a dropped high ball by Hannah King gifted England an attacking scrum, from which Kildunne exploited space on the 15-metre line to score. Her second, on the stroke of halftime, came from a brilliant piece of improvisation by Breach, who offloaded while being tackled to find Kildunne on the inside.

New Zealand managed to stay in touch through a well-worked try from Ayesha Leti-I’iga, who finished expertly in the corner after a pinpoint pass from Ruahei Demant, but England’s 22-12 halftime lead was a fair reflection of their superiority.

The second half saw England shift through the gears, with three tries in quick succession after the break. Dow grabbed her second, benefiting from quick hands across the backline to find space on the wing. Natasha Hunt then showed her opportunism, charging down Renee Holmes’ clearance kick and winning the race to ground the ball over the tryline.

Breach added her second, finishing off a flowing move that typified England’s attacking intent. Dow’s initial break created a two-on-one situation, with her inside pass finding Breach for an easy run-in.

To their credit, the Black Ferns refused to capitulate. Tries from Georgia Ponsonby, who crashed over from close range, and Maia Roos, who shrugged off defenders after an Olsen-Baker interception, briefly threatened to make a contest of it.

Fittingly, it was Breach who had the final say for England, completing her hat-trick with a superb finish that left Ruby Tui clutching at thin air. Zoe Harrison added England’s ninth try, stepping inside to score after sustained forward pressure, before Maama Vaipulu grabbed a consolation score for New Zealand in the dying seconds.

England’s back three of Breach, Dow, and Kildunne were simply unstoppable, contributing seven of the team’s nine tries. Their pace, power, and clinical finishing epitomised the evolution of England’s attacking game under coach John Mitchell.
“Our intent was really good,” Mitchell said post-match. “We are a team that has evolved and we are coming together cohesively, we can play both sides of the ruck.”

Player of the match Breach echoed her coach’s sentiments: “To score three tries against this team is credit to the team for putting me in those positions. We needed to front up physically, that’s what we’ll be working on for next week.”

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 06: Jess Breach of England poses for a photo after being awarded the Mastercard Player of the Match during the WXV1 match between New Zealand and England at Langley Events Center on October 06, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

For New Zealand, this defeat marks their third consecutive loss, a worrying trend for the world champions. Captain Ruahei Demant acknowledged England’s superiority: “Full credit to England, they consistently executed and finished their opportunities. We were not clinical enough today.”

The result sets up a tantalising finale to the WXV1 tournament, with England set to face hosts Canada in what could be a title decider. Based on this performance, the Red Roses will take some stopping as they look to defend their WXV crown and lay down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup on home soil.