The Ireland Women’s team will kick off the inaugural WXV Global Series with a busy autumn schedule, as Scott Bemand’s side return with some exciting clashes to look forward to.
The WXV Global Series features 18 of the world’s leading women’s national teams competing in a new international competition model across a dedicated eight-week window from September to October.
The top 12 teams compete in a home-and-away, cross-regional touring model, while six emerging nations contest the centrally hosted WXV Global Series Challenger. Together, the competitions provide more consistent, high-quality international fixtures, strengthen player pathways, and support the continued growth of the women’s game.
Ireland will open their 2026/27 campaign with back-to-back home matches against the USA and Japan in September, before travelling to face South Africa in a two-match series in October.
Tallaght Stadium in Dublin will host its first Women’s Test match as Ireland go head-to-head with the USA on Sunday September 20. The Sportsground in Galway will stage the visit of Japan on Sunday September 27.
Additionally, the girls in green will play Japan outside the WXV Global Series window at Musgrave Park in Cork on Saturday October 3, providing the squad with another valuable Test match opportunity before departing for South Africa.
Athlone Stadium in Cape Town will then host the first Women’s Test series between South Africa and Ireland, as the sides play each other on consecutive weekends on Saturday October 24 and Saturday October 31.
Ireland will enter the new series after a third-placed finish in the Women’s Six Nations Championship. Only two players in that competition scored more points than Ireland’s Dannah O’Brien, while Aoife Wafer scored five tries, only bettered by England pair Marlie Packer and Amy Cokayne.
Ireland Women’s Fixtures
WXV Global Series
Sunday September 20: Ireland v USA, Tallaght Stadium
Sunday September 27: Ireland v Japan, The Sportsground, Galway
Test Match
Saturday October 3: Ireland v Japan, Musgrave Park, Cork,
WXV Global Series
Saturday October 24: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday October 31: South Africa v Ireland, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
