Senior International Matches (Women)

Sat 12th July 2025   - KO  16:00 - Garda Westmanstown RFC, Dublin
Official: James Spencer (Ireland)

Ireland

4

FT

34

Half Time
4 - 20

France

Tries

Holly O'Dwyer (30)

Amael Vilanove (4,6,72)
Melissa Medina (13,60)
Kaina Absi (23)
Perle Ramazeilles (68)

Goals

Storm Cobain (0/1)

Lisa Diraison (3/7)

Ireland and France name squads for historic women's international

Ireland will face France for the first time in a women’s senior international tomorrow (Saturday), 12 July. The nations will now meet at Garda Westmanstown RFC in Dublin in a change to the venue, at the slightly earlier kick off time of 4pm.

On a day of international rugby league action, Ireland will also face Scotland in the final round of the men’s U16 and U18 Four Nations competition, with those matches kicking off at 12pm and 2pm respectively.

Ireland women will use the game as part of their preparations for the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series, which takes place in Canada in October, with the aim of qualifying for their first World Cup, head coach Matt Kennerson set to give up to six debuts with Aimee Clarke, Katie Ann O'Neill, Emma Kelly, Aífric Ni Ghibne, Molly Boyne and Becky Webb all in contention.

A total of 13 of their 19-player squad are selected from the Rugby League Ireland domestic competition.

Skipper Orlaith McAuliffe, from Dublin Exiles, said: “It’s always an honour to wear the green jersey, but Saturday will be especially meaningful — leading the girls out at home in front of our supporters. We know we’re up against a very strong French side, but there’s a great energy in the squad and we’re excited for the challenge. It’s going to be a special day, and we’re ready to give it everything.”

France begin their preparations for the 2026 Women’s World Cup, with head coach Romain Maillot set to hand debuts to Anaïs Andral and Mélissa Medina from RC Lescure Arthes XIII and St Esteve XIII Catalan’s Kaïna Absi.

France women Wales preview

France women’s captain, Manon Samarra, commented: “The squad is delighted to be traveling to Ireland. The preparation has been good and the whole team is looking forward to the experience.”

IRELAND SQUAD:
Katie-Anne McCallion (Banbridge Broncos), Molly Boyne, Aimee Clarke, Emma Kelly, Lena Kibler, Orlaith McAuliffe, Katie-Ann O’Neill, Cliodhna O’Sullivan, Anna Potterton, Aine Rutley (Dublin Exiles), Aifric Ní Ghibne, Holly O’Dwyer, Stacy Hanley (Galway Tribes), Megan Preston (Huddersfield Giants), Storm Cobain (Leigh Leopards), Iona McCusker, Jade Walker, Polly Roberts (London Broncos), Becky Webb (Widnes Vikings).  

FRANCE SQUAD:
Amaël Vilanove (As Ayguesvivoise XIII), Elodie Pacull (Les Baroudeuses De Pia), Lucie Castello, Tallis Kuresa (RC Begles XIII), Anaïs Andral, Stecy Bessiere, Lauréane Biville, Lisa Diraison, Mélissa Medina, Perle Ramazeilles, Dorine Samarra, Manon Samarra, Noémie Samuel, Salomé Segala, (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Kaïna Absi, Leïla Bessahli, Pauline Noe, Justine Roses (St Esteve XIII Catalan)

11 July 2025
Cliodhna O'Sullivan
Full Back
Manon Samarra
Aimee Clarke
Right Wing
Amael Vilanove
Anna Potterton
Right Centre
Melissa Medina
Katie Ann O'Neil
Left Centre
Laureane Biville
Holly O'Dwyer
Left Wing
Perle Ramazeilles
Emma Kelly
Stand Off
Justine Roses
Jade Walker
Scrum Half
Lisa Diraison
Orlaith McAuliffe
Prop
Leila Bessahli
Polly Roberts
Hooker
Dorine Samarra
Stacy Hanley
Prop
Salome Segala
Aifric Ni Ghibine
Second Row
Kaina Absi
Storm Cobain
Second Row
Stecy Bessiere
Iona McCusker
Loose Forward
Tallis Kuresa
Megan Preston
Int 1
Noemie Samuel
Molly Boyne
Int 2
Anais Andral
Aine Rutley
Int 3
Pauline Noe
Int 4
Elodie Pacull
Lena Kibler
Reserve 1
Lucie Castello

A hat trick of tries from As Ayguesvivoise XIII winger Amael Vilanove saw France women defeat Ireland 34-4 at Garda Westmanstown RFC in Dublin in searing sunshine in the first meeting of the nations.

The right-side was devastating for the visitors, centre Melissa Medina of RC Lescure Arthes XIII also claiming a brace on her debut. France made a blistering start to match the conditions, Vilanove over twice in as many minutes, Medina and Kaina Absi also crossing to build a 20-0 lead by the 23rd minute but, on the half hour, Galway Tribes’ winger Holly O’Dwyer went over out wide to put the hosts on the board.

Ireland women’s head coach, Matt Kennerson, said: “We played a world class team, we knew they would be good and struggled to keep up at times. The score probably didn’t reflect the game, we were more competitive than that, but France aren’t ranked fourth in the world for no reason.

“We have a few things to work on, and we had a number of debutants today, but there are some easy fixes and we’ll be working on those as we build towards the World Series in Toronto. We’d love to meet the French again in the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.”

Ireland & France Teams

It took until the hour mark for France to add to their lead, through Medina’s second, winger Perle Ramazeilles crossing on the left, Vilanove then completing her treble and claiming France’s seventh try, Lisa Diraison kicking three conversions.

“We are very happy, but we also congratulate the Irish team who played well, ran hard, never gave up and pushed us to keep our standards high,” said France women’s head coach, Romain Maillot. “The conditions were very hot and our players are in the off season, but they have been working on their conditioning and it was pleasing that we could see this in the game today.”

13 July 2025