“We have made positive progress in recent years but we know there is more to come from our group and are excited to build on the foundations we have laid.”
Scott Bemand(Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
Scott Bemand has signed a contract extension to remain as Ireland Head Coach until Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.
Hereford-born Bemand was first appointed Ireland womens coach in 2021 and has signed a three-year deal with the IRFU.
Under his guidance Ireland returned to the Women’s Rugby World Cup stage in England last year, while the collective body of results has seen the Irish side number five in the Women’s World Rugby Rankings.
The coach’s immediate task is lead is the forthcoming 2026 Six Nations Championship where Ireland open away to England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, April 11th. The next Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia will also come under his remit..
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys emphasised that the Ireland Womens senior international remains a flagship side within the Union and that Bemand has been considered an asset since his appointment:
“We’re delighted to secure Scott’s future for the next Rugby World Cup cycle at an important growth stage for our Women’s squad.
“The tireless work, dedication and investment Scott has put into the programme over the last couple of years has been evident through the team’s performances, and it was important for us to retain Scott’s leadership moving forward into this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign and beyond.
“In addition to the team’s on-field growth and evolution during Scott’s tenure, he has placed a huge emphasis on the development of young players and as we build towards 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia, we’re excited to advance the squad’s depth, ambition and performance levels.”
Ireland’s growth during Bemand’s tenure has been tangible, winning the inaugural WXV3 tournament in Dubai, finishing third in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations which gained automatic qualification for the Women’s Rugby Cup 2025 in England, while also beating New Zealand at WXV1 in Vancouver to finish second in that tournament.
Last year Ireland qualified for the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final stage following Pool victories over Spain and Japan before being edged out in a thrilling quarter-final by France in Exeter.
“It is a great privilege to sign on for another Rugby World Cup cycle with the IRFU and reaffirm my commitment and belief in the squad and programme moving forward,” says Bemand.
“We have made positive progress in recent years but we know there is more to come from our group and are excited to build on the foundations we have laid.
“There’s a strong work ethic, determination and belief within the playing squad and staff, and I’m committed to building on that as we aim to compete at the highest level, starting with the upcoming Guinness Women’s Six Nations which gives us an opportunity to push ourselves further on the biggest Test stage.”
Following the Six Nations opening against England, Ireland host Italy at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, April 18 (kick-off 5.40pm), in what will be another milestone occasion for Irish Rugby.
The newly-renovated home of Connacht Rugby – which officially opened in January – will play host to its first Women’s Six Nations match, with the Ireland Women’s only previous appearance in Galway being a 15-8 victory over Canada in April 2006.
Bemand’s charges then travel to France in Round 3 on Saturday, April 25 (kick-off 8.10pm), before concluding the Championship with back-to-back home games in Belfast and Dublin.
Ulster’s Affidea Stadium has staged a number of Women’s internationals in recent years, and Wales will be the visitors to Belfast in Round 4 on Saturday, May 9 (kick-off 6.30pm), before Scotland come to the Aviva Stadium on the final weekend on Sunday, May 17 (kick-off 2.30pm).
The Round 5 encounter will be the first ever standalone Women’s international at the home of Irish Rugby, and ticket sales have already passed the 15,000 mark, ensuring it will be a landmark Championship campaign for Ireland.