Following the domestic leg of the series, the Irish squad will travel to Cape Town, South Africa, for the final stage of their WXV campaign. There, they will face the host nation on October 24 and October 31. This global tour represents a significant logistical and physical challenge, but it is one that the Irish setup views as essential for building the depth and experience required to compete at the highest level of the international game.
As the team prepares for the 13:45 BST kick-off on Sunday, the focus remains firmly on the immediate task at hand. The United States remains a formidable opponent with a rich history in the women’s game, and Ireland will need to be at their clinical best to secure a victory in front of a home crowd. For Jemima Adams Verling, the match represents the realization of a dream, but for the team as a whole, it is the beginning of a vital journey toward the next World Cup cycle.
With a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents like Adams Verling and O’Connor, Ireland enters the WXV series with a sense of momentum. The coaching staff has prioritized a clear structure and a defined style of play, and Sunday’s opener will be the first true test of how that philosophy holds up under the pressure of global competition.
Ireland: Flood; O’Connor, Dalton, Higgins, Elmes Kinlan; O’Brien, Lane; O’Dowd, Moloney-MacDonald, Djougang, Wall, Tuite-O’Sullivan, Adams Verling, King (capt), Wafer.
Replacements: Jones, McGrath, Cahill, Clohessy, Hogan, Reilly, McGann, Gallagher.
