ULSTER and Ireland forward Brittany Hogan will join Sale Sharks in the new year, following the IRFU’s confirmation of the 35 Centralised Womens players for the 2025/26 season.
Hogan has been a key player for both her province and country, earning 38 caps on the international stage for Ireland.
A powerful ball-carrying number eight, Hogan played an important role in Ireland’s 2025 Rugby World Cup journey and starred in last year’s historic WXV1 victory over the Black Ferns in Canada.
A natural leader and role model for young players coming through the Ulster pathway, Hogan has made key contributions to the Ulster Senior Womens team.
Sharks play in the Women’s Premiership, the highest division of women’s rugby union in England.
Three Ulster players have been listed in the 35 centralised contracted player list for the 2025/26 season.
Forwards Fiona Tuite and Sadhbh McGrath are named, alongside backline player Kate Farrell McCabe.
Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways, Gillian McDarby, said: “We are delighted to confirm the roll out of 35 centralised contracts for Women’s players for an exciting season ahead.
“As we continue to create sustainable pathways and develop competition structures, it is pleasing to see a number of young players from our Ireland underage teams step up and be rewarded with senior contracts within our High Performance Programme at the IRFU High Performance Centre.
“The continued development of players through out WNTS programme is testament to the work being done within the Provinces and is a key focus for us as we strive to develop depth in our playing resources moving into the 2026 season and beyond.
“We are determined to evolve, grow and develop off the back of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and we look forward to seeing more players exposed to high-level international rugby in both the XVs and Sevens formats, starting with our first team back in green this weekend in Dubai.”
The new Celtic Challenge campaign kicks off on Saturday, December 20 as the Clovers host Gwalia Lightning, and the Wolfhounds go head-to-head with Edinburgh in a double-header at Energia Park.
The competition will provide centrally-contracted players and players of national interest with valuable exposure to game-time and high-level coaching in the build-up to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland get their Championship underway against England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, April 11, before hosting Italy in their first home outing on Saturday, April 18.
The side then travel to France for a round 3 encounter on Saturday, April 25, before back-to-back home fixtures, against Wales on Saturday, May 9, and Scotland on Sunday, May 17, to conclude the Six Nations.
The round 5 clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium will be the first ever standalone Women’s international at the home of Irish Rugby, and ticket sales are already surging for what promises to be a memorable occasion.
Venue details for the home matches against Italy and Wales will be announced in the coming weeks.
