IRFU launch women's U20s programme

The IRFU has announced the launch of a women's under-20s programme that will begin with a training camp and games against Italy and Scotland next month.

The squad will be coached by head coach Neill Alcorn and assistant coaches Matt Gill and Larissa Muldoon.

National talent squad and talent identification manager Katie Fitzhenry recently oversaw a 44-player screening camp at the high performance centre in Dublin.

A traveling squad of 26 will go to Rome in July where they will train with Italy and Scotland before playing two 40-minute training games against the teams.

"We’re delighted to be adding another important layer to our Women’s Pathway with an Ireland Women’s U20s squad coming together for the first time this summer," said Fitzhenry.

"The national and provincial talent coaches have been working hard to identify players from all levels of our pathway structure in recent months and we had 44 players come together last weekend for a really positive screening camp.

"It is an exciting opportunity for us to further accelerate the development of our best young talent, with players not only being exposed to a high performance environment and high-quality coaching, strength and conditioning, nutritional and medical support whilst in camp in Dublin, but then being given the chance to test those skills against their peers from Italy and Scotland."