How can Ireland build on World Cup success?

Lynne Cantwell is the IRFU’s head of women's strategy

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Rugby player Stacey Flood celebrates with her family after Ireland's victory over Spain at the  Rugby World Cup in August, 2025. Photograph: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.
Rugby player Stacey Flood celebrates with her family after Ireland's victory over Spain at the Rugby World Cup in August, 2025. Photograph: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

Four years after failing to qualify for the World Cup, few would argue that a valiant quarter-final defeat to France represents progress for the Irish women’s side. How do they keep that going, capitalising on the support which followed them for a month over in England?

Lynne Cantwell is the IRFU’s head of women’s strategy. A former player, she is tasked with making the sport more visible, helping to improve the standard of player while increasing the commercial viability of the game. With better domestic structures needed, the chance for players to develop both at grassroots and professional level, funding is a necessity for the future of the sport.

But how is it all paid for? The financial success of women’s sport more generally is a question plenty of people are grappling with. Lynne Cantwell explains how Irish rugby is doing just that. 

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