Enya Breen on Ireland competing with the best at the Rugby World Cup

After being part of a squad that missed out on qualifying for the last edition of the tournament in 2022, Enya Breen is now excited by the prospect of lining out for Ireland in the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this summer.

Courtesy of losses to Spain and Scotland either side of a victory against host nation Italy, Ireland’s quest to reach the following year’s RWC ended in heartbreak at a qualification tournament held at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma in September 2021.

Having watched her native land playing in person at the home-based World Cup in 2017, Breen had an ambition to feature on the global stage herself once she moved into adult rugby.

The Skibbereen woman mightn’t have gotten that opportunity three years ago, but Ireland’s third-place finish in the 2024 Six Nations helped to secure a place at this year’s finals in England. 

Named in a 37-strong preparation squad for the RWC at the end of May, Breen is currently being put through her paces at the IRFU’s High Performance Centre in advance of the tournament.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since probably watching the World Cup here in 2017. 

"I was at a handful of them in the UCD Bowl. I think I got the bus up from Cork on my own, spent the day up here and just loved it. 

"The buzz around the place was just great,” Breen explained at a recent media day.

“Even before that, watching the women in 2014 beat the Black Ferns [New Zealand] out in Marcoussis. 

Seeing that and always knowing, once I became involved in squads, that it could be a possibility. Then missing out in 2021 was heartbreaking."

Bouncing back from that and coming back to where we are now, it kind of makes it more special because it’s such a new experience. 

"It’s something we fought so hard for. We didn’t achieve it once and we were lucky to achieve it this time. To be able to finally do it, it’s incredible.” 

Considering she saw game time in four of the five fixtures that the side played in this year’s Six Nations Championship, it would be a massive surprise if Breen didn’t make the final squad that head coach Scott Bemand selects for the World Cup. 

EXPERIENCED

Additionally, from the 16 backs Bemand included in his preliminary selection for the tournament, Breen is the most experienced at 15s level with 29 senior caps currently to her name. She will be hoping to add to her appearance haul when Ireland take on Scotland in a warm-up game at Virgin Media Park in her home county of Cork on Saturday, August 2. 

There will also be another test to look forward to against Canada in Belfast seven days later and Breen sees these games as ideal preparation for what is to follow at the RWC in August and September.

“They’re the perfect games for us, I think. Scotland, we always have great battles with them. 

"Canada obviously have been great the last two years as well. They beat the Black Ferns last year, they pushed England close,” Breen added.

We want to be able to compete with the best in August, September. To be able to warm up against great opposition is well needed. 

"It will hopefully prepare us for a big tournament.”