Aoife Wafer revels in 'crazy' Six Nations Player of the Tournament gong as Ireland's World Cup adventure looms large
The Ireland flanker was announced as the winner on Monday, earning 41% of the fan poll, and ultimately seeing off competition from the other nominees, England winger Abby Dow, France second row Manaé Feleu and Scotland back row Evie Gallagher.
Coming out on top in a shortlist alongside that trio was something the 22-year-old was not expecting.
"It's a bit crazy to be honest. They're all phenomenal athletes and there's so many people that could have and should have been nominated as well," she told RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"We've so many superstars on our team as well, so to be nominated is class and then to get the fan support and to be voted as the best player in Six Nations is pretty undescribable to be honest."
The Wexford native topped a host of statistical tables during the 2025 tournament, making 70 carries - the most of any player - for a staggering 424.7 metres, beating 17 defenders in the process, the second highest of any forward in the championship. And that's not mentioning her four-try haul.
"Thankfully I've been able to put out a couple of good performances but I still have so much to learn," she said.
"At the end of the day I'm only 22 and I'm really excited for even what's to come at the end of the year in the World Cup, so it's a bit crazy to be honest."
Ireland finished third in the tournament and while Wafer sees areas for improvement, she felt that Scott Bemand's team have made clear strides with the World Cup looming in August when they will share a pool with New Zealand, Spain and Japan.
"Personally, I'd look at it as probably some of those games got away from us and it could have potentially been a tournament that we finished second instead of third in the likes of if we'd beat France and if we'd beat Scotland and then put a bit more competition in England," she said.
"But there are so many positives to take from it as well. We've come such a long way in the two years that Scott's been over us and it's a completely changed side to what was pre Scott's era.
"The end of this year is going to be incredibly exciting but we'll definitely have to take some learnings from this year's Six Nations and kind of be a bit more... like taking chances in those scoring zones because we want to beat Tier One nations and it's not every often that you get those chances when you're in their '22 so you have to take every one of them."
And amid reports in the Irish Indepedent about a potential move to English club Harlequins after the World Cup being on the verge of fruition, Wafer was coy about the prospect and switched the spotlight onto her recovery from injury.
"I'm just trying to get back from my knee (injury). I haven't seen anything yet," she said.
"I picked up an injury there against Wales so I'm just doing everything I can to get back from it and try to put my hand up for selection again for the World Cup."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
7 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Brazil could be forced to play without FANS at World Cup 2026 as Donald Trump considers controversial new rule
BRAZIL fans hoping to travel to the United States for the World Cup in 2026 face having their visas DENIED due to a controversial new rule. America, Mexico, and Canada host next summer's tournament from June 11 and July 19 - Advertisement 2 Brazil fans hoping to travel to the US for the World Cup in 2026 face having their visas denied Credit: Getty But it comes amid diplomatic tensions between the US and Brazil. According to According to Lourival Sant'Anna, visa restrictions for Brazilian citizens were already being implemented while Brazilian senators visited Washington this week. The travelling politicians received much more restricted visas in terms of the number of days they could stay in the US. Advertisement READ MORE IN football In June, Trump BANNED Iranian citizens from entering the country citing security risks which also threaten to impact the World Cup. But the ruling will not apply to athletes or coaches participating in international competitions - like the World Cup or Olympics. Only Iranians who are legal permanent residents of the US - including those who own a Green Card - are exempt from the ban. That is even if the card is registered on their Iranian passport and others who hold dual citizenship are also not be subject to the ban. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Fifa is yet to comment on the case but president Gianni Infantino is seen as a political ally of Trump. The two were often seen together during the Club World Cup in the summer - also hosted by the US. In April, Trump announced that Brazilian goods imported to America would face tariffs of 10 per cent - the lowest base rate applied to most countries. Advertisement But, nearly four months later and it has raised to 50 per cent meaning Brazil face one of the highest US tariff rates in the world. 2 US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Brazilian goods imported Credit: AFP
RTÉ News
37 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Mature Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald relishing a second bite at a Rugby World Cup
Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is willing to pass on any expertise that she can to her team-mates as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in England. The Exeter Chiefs player has had a truly remarkable Ireland career, not least highlighted by her two cracks at the World Cup. She is the only remaining member from the 2017 squad, who limped to an eighth place finish on home soil. Come 2021, Ireland had to try and qualify off their own bat but fell to a shock loss to Scotland in the play-offs, and missed out on the tournament, a result that sent shockwaves around the game. Moloney-MacDonald was outspoken about the issues at the time and was in exile from selection for an extended period before a recall last year. With that in mind, it is somewhat fitting that Moloney's third cap post recall was in the game where Ireland ultimately qualified for this year's event. Their opponents that day was Scotland, so there's a nice rivalry bubbling along. The Scots "got one over on us in the last game of the Six Nations" according to scrum coach Denis Fogarty, so Ireland will be extra motivated to start their World Cup journey on a high down in Cork. "I don't think it matters too much that it is Scotland [next up], but we definitely were disappointed to lose to them in the Six Nations. That game is not one we should have lost we feel", said the Ireland veteran. "We will want to put those things right in ourselves, just in terms of performance and things we got wrong that day, we want to tidy up on them. "I think it is more about performing as a team, in the way that we want to play, and the way that we want to approach this World Cup." Hooker Cliodhna Moloney says Ireland are hoping to get the fans on board during their upcoming warm-up games for the World Cup - a tournament Aoife Wafer is now expected to play some part in, despite undergoing knee surgery #RWC2025 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 30, 2025 Ireland come into this tournament without the likes of Erin King and Dorothy Wall, who also featured in qualification last time around, so there's an onus on the experienced Moloney-MacDonald and others like her, to lead this young squad through their latest challenge. That being said, the Exeter star seems in awe of the progress made over the last eight years and feels well positioned through her spell in England, to be able to pass on her depth of knowledge to those who come asking. "Women's rugby has advanced a lot so while I think I might have experience, I have been around a long time, I do know a lot of players from other countries and have experience playing against a lot of countries", said the Galway woman. "Even at a club level over in England, I would have experience playing against a lot of these teams and players from these teams. "So, I think that's more of a point of experience rather than having been at a World Cup or not. "One thing I would add is that the length of the tournament is probably the biggest thing people need to prepare for. "It's a long and intense tournament, and it's a very intense environment. "Media presence and pressure will be at the most intense it's ever been for anyone, and I don't think anyone can prepare you for that, other than your own personal preparation and focus." There is undoubtedly a feel-good factor around Irish women's rugby that is long-overdue. The World Cup being so close to home will add to that, with thousands of Irish fans expected to descend on Northampton and Brighton to watch the girls in green take on Japan, Spain and reigning champions New Zealand in the pool stages. There's even a marketability around the women's stars that wasn't there before. The likes of Aoife Wafer and Erin King have received individual honours for their Ireland form, while there are six Olympians in the squad following the exploits in Paris. This in turn with initiatives like the 'Green Wave' is helping to put the Ireland women's rugby team front and centre of national support, which in turn is a real motivation for the squad. When asked about recent social media competitions for example, Moloney said: "We just want to increase engagement and get the fans involved. "We want performances from these games, but we also want to feel the support from the fans and try to encourage as many people as possible to watch the games, get over to England, pick up tickets and support us in any way they can. "It's another way to engage with our fans, try and bring more people on board and follow us over the water." Although a victory will be front and centre of their minds, there is a sense that this World Cup will surpass 2017, and right the wrongs of 2021. "It's an amazing opportunity, it's so close to home, hopefully everyone's family and friends will be there, or as many of them as possible," added Moloney-MacDonald. "It's hard to put into words and people will experience in their own way, but it's a very special opportunity for this group." Ireland kick-off preparations at home to Cork on Saturday afternoon before a stiff challenge against Canada a week later. From there it will be all eyes on England where Scott Bemand's squad will look to emulate the glory of 2014, and go where the men's team has never gone, by returning to the last four of a Rugby World Cup. With the likes of Moloney-MacDonald, Edel McMahon and the returning Sam Monaghan leading from the front and exciting superstars-in-waiting alongside them, there might be a green wave descending on England come the end of August.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
London game is Ireland's calling for World Cup bid
There are all sorts of metrics to track progress, and decline. Should Ireland find themselves playing in Twickenham come late September then the chart explaining the women's senior team form will be through the roof. It's 15 months since they turned up at the home of the RFU and conceded 14 tries and a combined 88 points against the hosts. Return to that leafy corner of the English capital in two months' time and it will mean they have reached a World Cup semi-final. That's progress at the speed of light, should it happen. It is the stated goal that Scott Bemand's players have set for themselves as they put almost two months of pre-season work to the first test this Saturday when they face Scotland in one of two tournament warm-ups. 'I haven't probably talked about it this much this week because the focus is Scotland,' said hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald. 'We have openly spoken about it, probably in the previous two preparation blocks, about the group goal being getting to London. We know what we need to do at each stage but we're not overestimating. 'This week is about Scotland, next week will be about Canada. Then it's about selection and getting over there and then it's each game at a time. And the pool games are each going to be very challenging in their own way. So, yeah, there's an overall goal, but nobody is really too focused on that. Right now it's week-by-week at the moment.' The squad will be revealed on August 11, two days after that second trial run against the Canadians in Belfast. Ireland's tournament starts on the 24th against Japan at Northampton's Franklins' Gardens and continues there against Spain a week later. New Zealand's world champions, in Brighton's Amex Stadium, completes their pool. Moloney-MacDonald is the only member of the current training squad who has played at a World Cup before. The team didn't qualify in 2021 and she was 24 when Ireland hosted in Dublin and Belfast four years earlier but so much has changed since. Women's rugby has kicked on and Ireland are in a very different place now than then. The national team was still near the start of a downward spiral eight years ago. Now they are clearly on the up but with that direction challenged by the loss of big players to injury. The pack has been denuded for the World Cup by the loss of Erin King and Dorothy Wall while Aoife Wafer, the reigning Six Nations player of the year, is recovering from knee surgery and fighting to be ready. The team train in Blanchardstown. Picture: Ben Brady/Inpho Scrum coach Denis Fogarty said on Wednesday that the staff are 'quite confident' Wafer will make it, that she had not been 'ruled out'. She won't play either warm-up. The smart money is that the early pool stuff, at least, will play without her too. Others have to step up, but will they? 'You can only tell so much from training, so that's why this weekend is so important, and the Canada game, and it's important as well for them to grow in confidence,' said Moloney-MacDonald. 'Nobody knows how they're going to do, it's important that we put them in the best position possible to have the best experience and feel as confident as possible going into a World Cup. Yeah, I do feel confident.' It's been a long summer road just to this point. The prospect of a game will be manna from heaven for players who have been diverting themselves with competitions to see who benches most in the gym or with the odd game of foot-golf. Building the mind is every bit as key as preparing the body and the squad has had the honour of a visit from European Indoor 3000m champion Sarah Healy who is currently tracking towards her own World (Championship) bid come the autumn. 'Yeah, it was really interesting,' said Moloney-MacDonald. 'Obviously it's great to always get perspective from different sports people but also she's quite accomplished in speaking in the corporate world, I think. 'It was really good to just talk through maybe situations that might arise around selection and stuff like that and how she would approach those from a different mindset. 'In lots of ways around this time preparing for a World Cup, it's a kind of inexperienced group in that way. So it's good to talk about those things, and then you can have a kind of framework in your own head in place for how you'll deal with each scenario.'
