Monaghan and Parsons in Ireland RWC training squad

In a 37-player training squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, Ireland’s Sam Monaghan and Beibhinn Parsons have both been chosen.

On August 24, Scott Bemand’s team’s tournament opener takes place against Japan, with New Zealand and Spain also in the mix.

With the 31-year-old lock missing this year’s championship and the WXV1 campaign due to a knee injury sustained playing for her club Gloucester-Hartpury, co-captain Monaghan has not played international rugby since the 2024 Six Nations.

Olympian Parsons has also been sidelined as a result of an injury, having broken two of her legs in December while competing in Ireland Sevens.

Only Enya Breen, who has 26 Tests to her name, is represented by Parsons’ panel of backs in addition to Bemand’s.

After missing out on the Six Nations, where Ireland finished third with two victories and three defeats, Sarah Delaney, Eimear Corri, and Shannon Ikahihifo are all included.

Only two of the panel’s members are uncapped players, Ivana Kiripati and Alma Atagamen.

Due to injuries from the Six Nations, renowned forwards Dorothy Wall and Erin King have already been forced out of the competition.

Seven days after Ireland’s final team for the competition, the country will have 32 players play warm-up games against Canada in Belfast on August 2 and Scotland in Cork on August 2.