By Molly Cantwell, Irish Independent

Ennis RFC in County Clare has been selected as the location of an open training session for the Ireland Women’s Rugby World Cup squad.

The training session, which is open for the public to attend free of charge, will take place on Thursday July 17 from 11.30am.

The Irish team’s first match in the Women’s Rugby World Cup takes place on Sunday, August 24, against Japan, at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton in England.7

However, the team are playing two warm up matches in Cork and Belfast ahead of the WRWC kick-off.

In Cork, Ireland will welcome Guinness Women’s Six Nations rivals Scotland to Virgin Media Park on Saturday, August 2, before going head-to-head with Canada on Saturday, August 9, at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Aoife Corey, an Ennis native, has been selected as part of the Ireland’s Women’s Rugby World Cup preparation squad after her impressive debut for Ireland in the final Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2025 match against Scotland.

The 23-year-old has played rugby since she was 16, starting out with Ennis RFC and moving up the ranks quickly.

“Training has been going really well, the sessions are really intense and tough but will be super beneficial going into a massive campaign,” she said.

“Looking into August will be massive especially having two warm up games, one in Cork and one in Belfast, to prepare for along with the World Cup.

“It’s been such a privilege for me to get to train with this squad and I’ve learned so much since coming into training camp.”

For Corey, bringing the squad to her home turf and home club for training is incredibly exciting.

“Having an open training session next Thursday in Ennis is so exciting for me – a real full circle moment,” she said.