Nine Connacht players have been named in the Irish Squad for the Six Nations U18 Women’s festival that will take place at Wellington College in England.
Ireland is coached this year by Connacht’s Craig Hansberry and includes former Irish international Michelle Claffey.
The Connacht players are Anna McDermott, Roisin Powers and Roisin O’Sullivan of Ballinasloe, Uillin Eilian and Aoife Heaney of Tuam, Katie Griffin from Loughrea, Evie Kennedy of Ballina, Kitty Sweeney of Westport and Cairin Kearns from Gort.
The U18 Women’s festival runs over Easter with Ireland playing two full matches and two 35 minute games, in line with previous festivals. All the matches will be live on Irishrugby+ and the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel.
There are a number of players with experience in this tournament last season, including Usha Daly O’Toole, Lucia Dickinson and Roisin Power in the forwards and Caitlin Crowe, Lani O’Donovan and Aoife Heaney in the backs.
Cill Dara’s Emma Jane Wilson features in the squad for the third season in a row.
Ireland enjoyed an excellent run in the 2025 tournament with wins against Scotland, England, and Italy and a draw with Wales. They’re only loss came against France.
Ireland U18 Women’s Squad (Women’s U18 Six Nations Festival)
Forwards
Alice Buckley (Kanturk/Ballincollig)
Ella Buckley (Ballincollig)
Usha Daly O’Toole (Wicklow)
Lucia Dickinson (IQ Rugby)
Uillin Eilan (Tuam)
Katie Griffin (Loughrea)
Molly Hennessy (New Ross)
Diana Izekor (Longford)
Cairin Kearns (Gort)
Evie Kennedy (Ballina)
Roisin Kinch (Tullow)
Anna McDermott (Ballinasloe)
Olivia McKinley (Banbridge)
Lily Murphy (Tullow)
Niamh O’Mahoney (Dolphin)
Ruby Osumah (Tullamore)
Roisin Power (Ballinasloe)
Mia Rowan (Longford)
Coumba Sow (Clontarf)
Emma Jane Wilson (Cill Dara)
Backs
Jess Briody (Mullingar)
Lily Byrne (Dolphin)
Caitlin Crowe (Virginia)
Julie Finn (Clonakilty)
Aoife Heaney (Tuam/Claremorris)
Abi Kelly (Ennis)
Clodagh McCarthy (Clonakilty)
Jo McCaughey (Clonakilty)
Amy McConkey (Cooke)
Lani O’Donovan (Clonakilty)
Roisin O’Sullivan (Ballinasloe)
Kitty Sweeney (Westport)
Sophia White (Arklow)
Management
Head coach: Craig Hansberry
Assistant: Michelle Claffey
AD: Paul Heasley
Physio: Eva McPartlan
Doctor: Mathew Dockel
Manager: Siobhan Barrett
Analyst: Ollie Smyth
Six Nations U18 Women’s Festival
Thursday, April 2
Ireland v France, 14:15
Monday, April 6
Ireland v England, 13:00 (35 minute match)
Ireland v Scotland, 14,00 (35 minute match)
Friday, April 10
Ireland v Italy, 14:15
