Photo via BBC Sport

Ireland joining elite only a matter of time - Wafer

Ireland loose forward Aoife Wafer believes her national squad is rapidly narrowing the deficit against the global rugby elite and will inevitably reach their level. Following a slim quarter-final defeat to France in the preceding World Cup and two straight third-place Six Nations finishes behind England and France, Scott Bemand's side is setting sights on a five-match sweep in the upcoming WXV tournament.

Wafer, who collected player of the championship honours for the second year in a row after crossing for five tries across five appearances during Ireland's perfect home run in the 2026 Six Nations, stated that five victories across their upcoming slate represents their absolute baseline target.

Now 23, the Harlequins number eight has battled through extensive injury woes, having undergone knee surgery before the World Cup, fractured a collarbone, torn her MCL again in 2025, and broken a right-hand knuckle against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this past May. Following rehabilitation in London, she is eager to rejoin the national setup for their schedule, which opens against the United States at Tallaght on 20 September before consecutive home tests against Japan and a two-match trip to South Africa in late October.

Assessing their rivals, Wafer noted the Americans' combined power at the set-piece and breakdown, highlighted Japan's ruck tenacity and fleet-footed backline, and cautioned against the notorious bodily punishment handed out by South Africa's forwards and backs alike.