The landscape of Irish women’s rugby continues its evolution this weekend as head coach Scott Bemand signals a new chapter for the national side. Connacht back row Jemima Adams Verling has been named to make her senior Ireland debut in Sunday’s highly anticipated WXV Global Series opener against the United States. The fixture, set to take place at Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium, represents not only a critical test of Ireland’s progress on the world stage but also a milestone for a young player whose rapid ascent through the age-grade ranks has made her one of the most talked-about prospects in the domestic game.
At just 20 years of age, Adams Verling’s inclusion in the starting XV is a testament to the IRFU’s intensifying focus on the developmental pathway. Her journey to the senior international stage has been characterized by consistent, high-level performances across various levels of the game. In 2024, she was a standout figure during the Under-18 Women’s Six Nations, where her physicality and technical proficiency in the loose earned significant plaudits. This followed an equally impressive campaign in the inaugural Under-21 Women’s Six Nations the previous year, a tournament that served as a vital bridge between youth rugby and the professional standards required at the senior level.
Beyond the international age-grade setup, Adams Verling has been a cornerstone for the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge, a competition designed to provide provincial and developing players with the high-intensity minutes necessary to compete with established global powers. Her performances in the Celtic Challenge were the final catalyst for her inclusion in the senior setup. While she was a member of the squad during this year’s Women’s Six Nations, she did not see game time during that campaign. However, the experience of being embedded in the high-performance environment during the spring appears to have paid dividends, with Bemand now trusting her to handle the rigors of a Test match against a physically imposing American side.
On Sunday, Adams Verling will line out at blind-side flanker, joining a back row that balances youthful exuberance with world-class talent. She will operate alongside captain Erin King, who takes her place at open-side flanker. King’s leadership will be vital as Ireland look to dictate the tempo of the game at the breakdown. Completing the back-row trio is Aoife Wafer at number eight. Wafer’s inclusion is perhaps the most significant boost for the Irish pack; having been named the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship earlier this year, she has established herself as one of the premier ball-carriers in the northern hemisphere. The combination of Adams Verling’s work rate, King’s tactical leadership, and Wafer’s explosive power represents a dynamic engine room for the Irish side.
In the tight five, Scott Bemand has opted for a blend of experience and established partnerships to anchor the set-piece. The front row features the formidable prop pairing of Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang, two players who have become synonymous with Ireland’s scrummaging stability. They are joined by veteran hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, whose return to the fold and subsequent performances have provided a steadying hand for the Irish line-out.
The second row sees a necessary adjustment due to the absence of the influential Sam Monaghan. With Monaghan sidelined by injury, the responsibility falls to Dorothy Wall and Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan to provide the verticality and defensive steel in the engine room. Wall, traditionally known for her uncompromising defensive work and carrying ability, will be expected to lead from the front in the physical exchanges, while Tuite-O’Sullivan’s athleticism will be key in maintaining Ireland’s mobility across the park.
