5 Stars to Watch: Ireland squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Ireland have enjoyed a real upwards trajectory in recent years, with head coach Scott Bemand at the helm of the side. The IRFU first issued professional contracts to their top women's players as recently as 2022, after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. This investment has already showcased a noticeable improvement, with Ireland's competitive edge arising throughout recent Women's Six Nations campaigns and their progression up the WXV competitions.

In 2023, Ireland took the wooden spoon from a win-less Women's Six Nations to then be drew into WXV3. Just the following year, Ireland finished third in the 2024 Women's Six Nations, qualified for WXV1 and picked up a momentous first-ever win over the Black Ferns. This 29-27 victory was an Irish statement of intent; the shamrock has arrived, within plenty to prove within the fast-paced professional era of the modern day women's Test stage.

Ireland will get the opportunity to prove that this win was no fluke, having been drawn into Pool C along side New Zealand. Ireland will also face Spain and Japan in the coming weeks, with Bemand's side well in contention to qualify for the quarter-final stage. So, for the latest installment in our '5 Stars to Watch' series, having already covered England, New Zealand and Scotland's squads for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, lets dive into what Ireland bring to the table. Here's our picks for Ireland's players to watch, at the upcoming competition.

Edel McMahon has built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most relentless and intelligent back-row operators, combining leadership, athleticism, and a fiercely competitive edge. Born in Kilmihil, County Clare, McMahon’s sporting journey began in Gaelic football, winning an All-Ireland Intermediate club title as a 13-year-old goalkeeper for her hometown side.

She captained Clare to an All-Ireland minor title and later added a Clare senior championship in 2019. Her athletic versatility extends beyond rugby and football, as she also has two European AFL titles with Ireland’s national Australian Rules team, the Irish Banshees. Her introduction to rugby came while studying biochemistry at NUI Galway in 2012. Within five years, she was selected for the first-ever Women’s Barbarians squad, before even earning a senior Ireland cap. After impressing with Galwegians RFC and Connacht, McMahon moved to England in 2019 to gain Premier 15s experience with Wasps before signing for Exeter Chiefs Women in 2022.

At club level, the back row has become one of the league’s most effective breakdown specialists, earning plaudits for her turnover work and defensive steel. McMahon made her Ireland debut in the 2018 Women’s Six Nations and quickly became a mainstay, earning Player of the Match against Scotland in the 2020 tournament.

Injuries have tested her resilience, as McMahon missed the entire 2021 Six Nations, but the flanker has consistently returned as a key figure. In 2023, she was named Ireland co-captain alongside Sam Monaghan, leading the team to WXV3 glory in Dubai. A year later, she captained Ireland to a standout WXV1 wins over Australia and New Zealand and steered her side through a strong Six Nations campaign.

Now on 34 caps, McMahon enters the Women’s Rugby World Cup as one of Ireland’s most experienced players and a driving force in the squad’s leadership group. Whether disrupting opposition ball, leading defensive charges, or inspiring teammates, McMahon is the type of player whose presence can define Ireland’s campaign in England.

Sam Monaghan has emerged as one of Ireland’s most influential leaders and physically dominant second rows. Born in New York City to Irish parents, Monaghan moved to Navan, County Meath, at the age of eight. A natural competitor, she first shone in Gaelic football, winning an Irish U16 title with Meath, before a move to England steered her toward rugby. Initially joining Lewes RFC, she quickly impressed enough to earn a trial and a contract with Wasps Women in 2020.

Monaghan’s rise with Wasps coincided with her Ireland debut in September 2021 against Spain. The lock became a standout in the 2022 Women's Six Nations, catching the eye for her towering lineout presence, uncompromising defence, and ability to break the gain line. That summer, she signed for Gloucester-Hartpury, where she instantly made her mark. Monaghan lifted the Premier 15s title in her debut season and earned the Irish Player of the Year award. A second league crown followed in 2024, cementing her as one of the competition’s elite locks.

Internationally, Monaghan’s leadership qualities came to the fore when she was named Ireland co-captain alongside Edel McMahon for the 2023 WXV3 tournament in Dubai. Ireland went unbeaten, lifting the title, and Monaghan’s influence both on and off the pitch became undeniable. Her form and authority seemed set to carry into 2024 until a cruel twist came in the Premiership final. Monaghan was sidelined an ACL injury for over a year, which ruled her out of WXV1 and the entire 2025 Women's Six Nations.

Her absence was felt, but Monaghan’s comeback story has been one of grit and patience. After months of rehab, she returned to Ireland's starting XV this month, for a warm-up match against Scotland. It was Monaghan's first cap in 15 months, but it was in time for the lock to be named in the Rugby World Cup squad. With 23 caps, two PWR titles, and a proven record as a leader, Monaghan brings lineout authority, set-piece stability, and an imposing physical presence to Ireland’s campaign in England. If Ireland are to make a deep run, Monaghan’s return could prove a decisive turning point.

Beth Buttimer may be the only uncapped player in Ireland’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad, but the 19-year-old hooker/back-row arrives with a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Irish rugby.

A Clonmel native and daughter of Clonmel RFC’s rugby director Fergal Buttimer, Beth grew up immersed in the sport, watching her father and brothers play before finding her own path at Rockwell College. It was there she first tried rugby, while Fethard RFC coach Polly Murphy provided the platform to develop her technical skills and competitive edge.

Though branded “too rough” for hockey and Gaelic football, the organised chaos of rugby suited Buttimer perfectly. By 14, she was on a rapid rise through the ranks, earning caps for Ireland U18 and U20, and even making history alongside her brother Henry as the first sibling duo to debut for Irish age-grade teams in the same year.

A student at the University of Limerick, Buttimer has been part of the IRFU National Talent Squad, winning the Munster Breakthrough Player of the Year award in 2023 and helping UL Bohemian to their first All-Ireland League title in six years in 2024.

Buttimer’s breakout year included appearances for Munster Seniors and a starring role with the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge, where her versatility, set-piece strength, and breakdown impact stood out. In the summer of 2024, she was a leader for Ireland at the inaugural U20 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series in Parma. Buttimer scored two tries and earned the Player of the Match award against Scotland, in the team’s historic first win at Women's U20s level. She credits influential coaches Niamh Briggs and Lorna Barry for setting high standards and pushing her to maximise her potential.

Off the field, Buttimer is known for her grounded personality and commitment to her roots, regularly returning to Clonmel RFC to coach and inspire younger players. Her emphasis on the mental side of rugby, as much as the physical, which reflects a maturity beyond her years. Whether called upon at hooker or in the back row, her power, athleticism, and competitive spirit make her one of Ireland’s most exciting young talents, ready to seize her first senior cap on the sport’s biggest stage.

Ellena Perry brings international experience, proven quality, and a compelling personal journey to Ireland’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad. The 28-year-old loose-head prop earned 11 caps for England between 2018 and 2020 before standing down from the Red Roses set-up. Eligible for Ireland through her maternal grandfather, Perry completed the required stand-down period under World Rugby’s eligibility rules, making her Ireland debut against Canada in a warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament.

A product of Hertford RFC, Perry quickly developed into one of England’s top age-grade talents. After attending Hartpury College and later studying Sports Science at the University of Coventry, she made her Saracens debut at just 18, featuring in the 2016 Women's Premiership Final before switching back to Gloucester-Hartpury in 2019. There, she became a cornerstone of the front row, playing alongside Irish internationals Neve Jones and Sam Monaghan in a side that have since lifted three back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles.

Perry’s international breakthrough came in the 2018 Quilter Internationals, where she featured in all three matches for England. Injury setbacks and the demands of motherhood temporarily paused her career, but her return to elite rugby has been nothing short of remarkable. Balancing life as a professional athlete with raising her young son, Perry credits Gloucester-Hartpury coach Sean Lynn for helping her rediscover her best form after becoming a mum.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand, who previously worked with Perry in the England system, has praised her seamless integration into the squad, highlighting her 'unbelievable' work-rate and ball-carrying ability as major assets. Perry's Gloucester and now Ireland teammate Neve Jones echoes the sentiment, describing Perry as “a quality player” who “pushes people to be better” while bringing maturity and leadership to the group.

Off the pitch, Perry is known for her warmth, humour, and commitment to her teammates. On it, she offers Ireland a powerful scrummaging presence, dynamic carrying, and the kind of big-game experience that will be invaluable in the tight exchanges of a World Cup campaign. With her debut in green already made, Perry heads into the tournament ready to prove that switching allegiances has only strengthened her hunger to perform on rugby’s biggest stage.

Enya Breen heads into the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup as one of Ireland’s most influential and experienced backs with an accrued set of proven leadership credentials. The 26-year-old Munster and UL Bohemians centre has already captained her country during a successful WXV1 campaign and played a pivotal role in Ireland’s resurgence following a long injury lay-off.

A former Energia All-Ireland League “Rising Star” winner, Breen’s rugby journey began in Carrigaline RFC before moving to Bantry Bay RFC when her family relocated to Skibbereen. Selected for the Munster U18 Development squad at just 15, she went on to represent Ireland at U18 Sevens and in the Sevens Development squad before making her Munster senior debut in 2018.

That same year, Breen earned her first senior XVs call-up to the Ireland camp, but injury delayed the midfielder's debut until the 2019 Six Nations Breen started for Ireland against France and Wales aged just 19, and since then, the playmaker has amassed 29 caps, overcoming an ACL rupture in 2023 to return in style during Ireland’s third-place Six Nations finish in 2024, which secured their place at this year’s finals.

Breen has since skippered the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge, leading them to their first-ever win over the Wolfhounds and five consecutive victories, for a perfect springboard into World Cup preparations. Known for her vision, defensive organisation, and relentless attacking runs, Breen thrives in high-pressure environments and is expected to be central to Ireland’s midfield plans in England.

Having been inspired by watching Ireland at the 2017 home-hosted Women's Rugby World Cup, Breen now has the opportunity to fulfil that same dream on the sport’s biggest stage, particularly with the added motivation of playing warm-up matches in her home county of Cork.