Ireland Women Thrash Italy 57-20 in Front of Record Galway Crowd
Ireland's women's rugby team produced a stunning performance to defeat Italy 57-20 in the Guinness Women's Six Nations at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday, with Béibhinn Parsons scoring a first-half hat-trick in front of a record crowd of 9,206 — the largest ever attendance for an Ireland women's home match and a landmark moment for the women's game in the west of Ireland.
The emphatic victory, Ireland's second fixture of the 2026 championship, was a statement of intent from Scott Bemand's side, who ran in nine tries in a dominant display that delighted the record-breaking Galway crowd and underlined the growing strength and ambition of Irish women's rugby.
Background
The match was the first Guinness Women's Six Nations fixture to be played in Galway, marking a significant moment for women's rugby in the west of Ireland. Ireland had opened their campaign with a 33-12 defeat to England in London, making Saturday's performance all the more impressive as a response. The IRFU has been investing significantly in the women's game in recent years, with a strategic plan aimed at increasing participation, professionalising the squad, and growing attendances at international fixtures.
The growth of women's rugby in Ireland has been one of the most encouraging stories in Irish sport over the past decade. The IRFU's commitment to developing the women's game has seen the national squad become increasingly competitive at international level, with the 2026 Six Nations campaign representing a significant step forward in terms of both performance and public engagement. The record attendance in Galway is a tangible demonstration of the appetite for top-level women's sport in Ireland.
Béibhinn Parsons, the Ballinamore native who plays her club rugby with Connacht, has been one of the most exciting players in the women's game since her international debut. Her pace, footwork, and finishing ability have made her one of the most dangerous wingers in the Six Nations, and her return from injury to score a hat-trick against Italy was a moment of genuine sporting joy for Irish rugby supporters.
Key Developments
Parsons was the standout performer, scoring three tries in the first half and earning the Player of the Match award. Ireland led 45-10 at half-time, with the home side's pace and power proving too much for the Italian defence. The margin of victory was Ireland's largest ever in the Women's Six Nations, reflecting the significant improvement in the squad's depth and quality under head coach Scott Bemand.
Other try-scorers for Ireland included Emily Lane, Aoife Wafer, Robyn O'Connor, Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, and Brittany Hogan, with Dannah O'Brien converting several. Aoife Wafer, playing at No. 8, was also outstanding, making 84 metres from 12 carries and completing eight tackles in 52 minutes. Italy scored through Vittoria Vecchini, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Veronica Madia, and Alyssa D'inca, with D'inca's try securing a bonus point for the visitors in a more competitive second half.
The record attendance of 9,206 in Galway surpassed the previous record for an Ireland women's home match and demonstrated the growing appetite for women's rugby across the country. The IRFU has been working to take international fixtures to different venues around Ireland, and the success of the Galway event is likely to encourage further regional fixtures in future seasons.
Why It Matters
The record attendance of 9,206 in Galway demonstrates the growing popularity of women's rugby in Ireland and the appetite for top-level sport in the west of the country. The result also keeps Ireland's championship hopes alive as they prepare for a challenging trip to France. More broadly, the success of the Galway fixture sends a powerful message to the IRFU and to sponsors that women's rugby can attract significant crowds outside of Dublin, potentially opening the door to further investment in the women's game.
The performance itself — nine tries, 57 points, a record attendance — represents a coming-of-age moment for Irish women's rugby. The depth of talent on display, from Parsons' hat-trick to Wafer's dominant performance at the base of the scrum, suggests that Ireland are genuine contenders for the Six Nations title in 2026.
Local Impact
The fixture in Galway was a significant moment for rugby in Connacht, with the province providing several players to the Ireland squad, including Béibhinn Parsons herself. The record crowd at Dexcom Stadium demonstrated that there is a substantial and enthusiastic audience for women's rugby in the west of Ireland. Ireland's remaining home fixtures include a match against Wales at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on 9 May, which will give Northern Ireland rugby supporters the opportunity to see the team in action following their impressive Galway performance. The Belfast fixture is expected to attract a strong crowd, with tickets already selling well.
What's Next
Ireland travel to France for their next Six Nations fixture, a match that carries additional significance following a previous World Cup quarter-final defeat to the French. Ireland's remaining home fixtures include Wales at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on 9 May and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 17 May. A strong performance in France would firmly establish Ireland as title contenders in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Women's Six Nations in recent memory.
Read the full match report at Six Nations Rugby and Irish Rugby.
