‘Whatever way it’s going, it’s going in the right direction’: Stacey Flood on the rise of Irish women’s rugby

Ireland international Stacey Flood recently made her full debut for Leinster at age 30 during the Irish Interprovincial Championship. Flood scored a try in Leinster's 36-21 victory, marking her debut alongside other recent newcomers including Eve Higgins, Nikki Gibson, Niamh Murphy, and Ireland captain Erin King. Flood noted that her long-awaited provincial debut was previously delayed by international commitments across Sevens, the Olympics, and the World Cup.

Flood, who represented Ireland in Sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics and started in Ireland's WXV 1 win over New Zealand, highlighted the rapid growth of women's rugby. Speaking at a kit launch event, she expressed optimism about the sport's ongoing progress and previously advocated for the creation of a Women's Champions Cup.