Wafer and McMahon fit for Ireland World Cup squad

Key back row forwards Aoife Wafer and Edel McMahon are included in Ireland’s squad for this month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, despite recent injuries.

Wafer, 22, was named player of the Championship in this year’s Six Nations but has not featured for Ireland since the fourth round of the competition after suffering a knee injury.

Exeter’s McMahon – who will be co-captain of the squad along with lock Sam Monaghan – has also not played in either of the side’s two warm-up fixtures because of a knee issue, but has still been named in the 32-player squad.

Erin King, Dorothy Wall and Christy Haney all miss out on Scott Bemand’s selection through injury.

“When we qualified for the Rugby World Cup in April 2024, we knew it gave us a solid amount of time to prepare for the tournament,” said the head coach.

Forwards: Claire Boles, Beth Buttimer, Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri Fallon, Linda Djougang, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, Ivana Kiripati, Sioban McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Edel McMahon, Cliodhna Moloney, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Niamh O’Dowd, Ellena Perry, Fiona Tuite, Aoife Wafer.

There is one uncapped player in the panel, with Munster hooker Beth Buttimer included after impressing for the Ireland Under-20s this summer.

In a squad comprised of 18 forwards and 14 backs, former England prop Ellena Perry has been named, as has centre Nancy McGillivray.

Perry, 28, made her debut off the bench in the defeat against Canada in Belfast on Saturday.

She is eligible for Ireland through her maternal grandfather and, with her last England cap coming in November 2020, can represent a second nation under World Rugby regulations as she has completed a three-year stand-down period.

Exeter’s McGillivray has previously trained with England but qualifies for the side through her Irish father and scored a try on debut against Scotland this month.

Flanker Ivana Kiripati, who won her first two caps in this month’s warm-up fixtures, also makes the cut, although Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird misses out.

Ireland, who did not qualify for the last World Cup, begin their tournament against Japan in Northampton on 24 August.