women
international women
Ex Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan has been dropped from the entire squad WXV Global Series campaign with an Achilles injury.
This means the 33-year-old will miss the home Test matches against USA female eagles, Japan and tour matches against the Springbok Women in Cape Town.
Last year the second row returned from an ACL injury to compete in the women’s competition Rugby World Cup 2025. She will stay at the camp to pass on her experience to the group.
“Sam was unlucky,” said Scott Bemand, Ireland’s head coach. “She’s got an Achilles injury, so it’s going to be this competition for her.
“She’s still in and around the team, which is brilliant. She’s still wooing the girls and still at the meetings, so she’s still getting her rugby fix.”
“But yeah, when rugby is rugby, sometimes he throws you one of these. But in terms of how he leaves the team, there are opportunities.”
Ruth Campbell, who picked up an ankle injury in Leinster’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship final defeat to Munster, could potentially feature for Ireland in September or October.
Bemand said: “The facilities we’ve got here (at Ireland’s high performance centre), the people we’ve got around her, we’re really hoping we can get Ruth back in this series. So it’ll be a nice turnaround, she’s got a lot going for her.”
Uncapped pair Alma Atagamen and Olivia McKinley were invited to camp in Ireland last week to help prepare for the USA Women’s Eagles match at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday.
As a result of the absence of Monaghan and Campbell, Ireland could see Dorothy Wall and Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan together in the second row. Injuries also mean Jane Clohessy and Kate Jordan could win places in the matchday 23.
This weekend, Ireland can’t improve their position in the world rugby rankings, but the USA can jump two places in the table with a shock victory.