Ireland have named their final 20-player squad for the trip to Brampton, Ontario for the inaugural IRL Women’s World Series, which will see the final nation qualify for the 2026 Women’s RL World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

They take on Nigeria in their opening fixture on Tuesday 21 October, looking for victory and the chance to face the winners of Canada and Fiji in the final the following Sunday. All the games are being played at the newly refurbished Terry Fox Stadium and streamed via the Canadian Broadcasting Company.

“The excitement has definitely set in amongst our playing group now and we are ready to do battle against the Green Falcons in game one,” said Ireland women’s head coach, Matt Kennerson. “We are looking forward to seeing the other nations compete and with only one spot in the World Cup remaining, the fighting Irish spirit will be on full display in Toronto.”

Kennerson added of his final selection: “We think we have a good balance in the squad and the hit out against Netherlands was really beneficial, having that game time was super important for the girls and it was a really good stepping stone to the World Series.”

In that warm up match in Sassenhiem, Ireland dominated winning 42-6, skipper Storm Cobain - who has played in every one of their internationals to date - with 14 points. Wicklow-based Kennerson is realistic about his side’s chances as they take their latest step on a journey that begun in 2021 when the international team was formed.

“It’s been a really exciting journey to get this far,” he noted: “From what we’ve seen, Nigeria are a little unknown and unorthodox but look a really powerful, athletic team and that’ll be a tough ask. If we can get though that, it doesn’t matter who we face because we know that’ll be a massive task.

“We don’t have a huge pool to choose from but being as I’m involved in a lot of tag and touch rugby, got a lot of friends in union and even GAA we’ve spread our net as wide as we can, we’ve even got a couple who started out as hockey and soccer players in the squad, and we have four heritage players joining us from Australia who will strengthen us.

“We’re planning on having two training sessions when we get to Toronto, so we’ve had pretty good preparation to get continuity as a team. It should be amazing for the girls as an overall, once-in-a-lifetime experience, win, lose or draw.”

Ireland’s highest profile heritage player is Lily Rogan from Wests Tigers who play in the elite NRLW in Australia, the same club Kennerson’s father played for.

“The calibre of players and quality of domestic games have increased, which is really positive, and if we do have success in Canada, that will blow the sport wide open and give us a footprint. Being recognised as a team that can compete is the next step.

“Two of our girls, Trisha Doyle and Steph Carroll, went from Dublin City Exiles to play in the Australian competition and they’re bringing their experience back.”

Kennerson is also head coach of the Dublin women’s team, a position he has held since inauguration in 2021, and also included in the squad is exciting current Leinster RU player Molly Boyne, who also represents the Exiles.

Kennerson confirmed: “There’s a lot happening on the international stage for rugby league in Ireland; the wheelchair team have made the World Cup, we’re in the first World Series, our U16s and 18s performed really well in the Four Nations, and we are starting a new men’s cycle with two senior internationals against Wales - hopefully that’ll get more people playing the game.

“We’re travelling with the motto Ní neart go cur le Chéile – there’s no strength without unity.”

Ireland Squad

Tricia Doyle, Martha Dwyer (Aspley Devils), Jemma Gallagher (Corrimal Cougars), Molly Boyne, Aimee Clarke, Niamh Griffin, Emma Kelly, Lena Kibler, Cliodhna O’Sullivan, Anna Potterton (Dublin City Exiles), Stacy Hanley, Aifric Ní Ghibne (Galway Tribes), Storm Cobain, Mollie Young (Leigh Leopards), Iona McCusker, Polly Roberts, Jade Walker (London Broncos), Steph Carroll, Sarah Scambary (Mounties), Lily Rogan (Wests Tigers)

IRL Women's World Series 2025

Venue: Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Ontario

Tuesday, October 21
Semi-final: Ireland v Nigeria (kick off 3.30pm)
Semi-final: Canada v Fiji (6pm)

Sunday, October 26
Third-place play-off: Semi-final losers (1pm)
Final: Semi-final winners (3.30pm)

Broadcast

Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Further details to follow.

Tickets

Semi-finals (Tuesday, Oct 21): https://www.eventbrite.com/.../irl-world-series...

Final (Sunday, Oct 26): https://www.eventbrite.com/.../irl-world-series-finals...