Ireland to host USA and Japan in five-match WXV Global Series autumn programme

Ireland Women will host the USA and Japan across three venues this autumn as part of their WXV Global Series schedule, with a two-Test trip to South Africa rounding off a five-match programme confirmed by the IRFU.

The USA Women’s Eagles will be Ireland’s first opponents, visiting Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on Sunday 20 September. A week later, Japan arrive at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium — the ground where Ireland beat Italy in this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations — on Sunday 27 September. Ireland will then host Japan a second time, at Cork’s Virgin Media Park on Saturday 3 October, though that fixture falls outside the official WXV Global Series window.

Head coach Scott Bemand welcomed the breadth of the schedule. “We’re delighted to have our Autumn schedule confirmed, with five Test matches forming an important part of our ongoing development and growth as we look to build on the Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign and continue to grow our Green Wave,” he said.

“Japan and the USA are quality international teams who will challenge us in different ways, and those experiences are invaluable as we continue to grow and develop. We look forward to welcoming them to Ireland.”

Bemand also highlighted the significance of the South Africa leg. The two-Test series in Cape Town, at Athlone Stadium, will be the first meeting between the sides in 20 years. The Springbok Women were widely regarded as the standout performers at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, making the assignment a particularly demanding one.

“Our Autumn programme then culminates in a two-Test series against South Africa in Cape Town, which will provide another excellent challenge in a demanding environment and is exactly why the addition of the WXV Global Series is invaluable for us,” Bemand added.

The three home fixtures across Dublin, Galway and Cork also reflect Ireland’s broader ambition to grow the women’s game across the country, giving supporters in different regions the chance to see the team in action ahead of the new season.