Ireland's women's rugby coach, Scott Bemand, has named his coaching staff for the upcoming WXV campaign. The new additions include several new and familiar names. Former England international Alex Codling joins as Ireland's forwards coach; Hugh Hogan is named defence coach; Gareth Steenson is appointed kicking coach; and Denis Fogarty continues as scrum coach for a third season. Additionally, former Ireland international Maz Reilly joins as a World Rugby Coach Intern.
Bemand said on the IRFU website: “We’re delighted to finalise our coaching team for the upcoming match against Australia and WXV1 as we build towards next year’s Rugby World Cup in England. We have recruited an exciting calibre of coaching personnel, all of whom will bring huge experience and expertise to the group.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 22, 2024
“It is also exciting to have Maz on board with us, having been a stalwart in the green jersey during her playing days and shown huge coaching potential in her role with Leinster in recent seasons. We look forward to coming together as a full-playing and staff group next Monday to hit the ground running ahead of the exciting opportunities ahead.”
Bemand will name his expanded squad for the Ireland women’s Wallaroos game on Wednesday, August 28. The squad will then assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday, September 2.
Ireland's WXV1 campaign begins against New Zealand at BC Place, Vancouver, on Sunday, September 29. They then play Canada on October 5 and the USA on October 11.
Tickets for Ireland vs. Australia at Kingspan Stadium are available here.
Ireland Women's Coaching Staff
Forwards Coach
Alex Codling is the new forwards coach for Ireland's women's rugby team. Codling is a former England international who most recently served as head coach of Newcastle Falcons. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and is highly regarded for his coaching abilities.
Defence Coach
Hugh Hogan is the new defence coach for Ireland's women's rugby team. Hogan is a former Leinster and Scarlets coach who has a strong reputation for developing strong defenses. He is expected to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the Ireland team.
Kicking Coach
Gareth Steenson is the new kicking coach for Ireland's women's rugby team. Steenson is a former Exeter Chiefs and Ulster fly-half who is known for his accurate kicking. He will be responsible for working with the Ireland team on their kicking strategies and technique.
Scrum Coach
Denis Fogarty will continue as scrum coach for a third season. Fogarty has a strong track record of developing strong scrums and is highly respected in the coaching community.
World Rugby Coach Intern
Maz Reilly has joined the coaching team as a 'World Rugby coach intern'. Reilly is a former Ireland international and Grand Slam winner. She will be responsible for assisting the coaching staff and gaining valuable experience in a high-performance environment.
The Road Ahead
Ireland's women's rugby team is looking forward to the upcoming season, which will be a busy one. The team is aiming to continue its upward trajectory and build towards next year's Rugby World Cup. The appointment of a new coaching staff is a sign of the IRFU's commitment to developing a successful women's rugby program.
With the new coaching staff in place, Ireland's women's rugby team is confident that it can achieve great things in the years to come. The team is well-positioned to build on its recent success and make a strong run at the 2025 Rugby World Cup. The team is eager to get started and showcase its talent on the international stage.
