The women's rugby scene in Ireland is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity, and at the heart of this wave is the upcoming Six Nations 2026 match at the Aviva Stadium. This game holds a special place in the hearts of many, including Eve Higgins, whose childhood tradition involved attending the women's game in Ashbourne followed by the men's match at the Aviva. The shift in attendance numbers reflects the growing interest in women's rugby, with the upcoming match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium expected to draw a record-breaking crowd of over 28,000.
This trend is not isolated to Ireland; interest in women's rugby is rapidly increasing globally. The opening game between Ireland and England at Twickenham's Aviva Stadium attracted a record 77,120 spectators, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport. Higgins, a 26-year-old center, views the prospect of playing in front of a record home crowd as "extremely special" but hopes it is "the first of many." She emphasizes the importance of filling the stadium, stating that they didn't want to play in empty stadiums.
The Irish team has had a successful championship so far, with home wins over Italy and Wales. Despite credible performances against world champions England and fourth-ranked France, they missed out on taking the scalp they craved. Higgins acknowledges a degree of "frustration" but notes the team's "hunger to improve and keep pushing the limits." The ambition is to round off their campaign with a perfect home record of three wins from three.
However, the challenge ahead is not to be underestimated. Higgins points out that the last few years have seen very close games with Scotland, and the upcoming match is expected to be "extremely competitive." The teams are both "very proud," making the game "far from easy." Despite Scotland's recent three-straight defeats, Higgins is not downplaying the challenge, emphasizing the need for a strong performance to secure three home wins for the Six Nations.
In my opinion, the growth in women's rugby is not just a trend but a significant cultural shift. It reflects a broader societal change towards greater inclusivity and diversity in sports. The increasing interest in women's rugby is not only a testament to the sport's growing popularity but also to the efforts of players, coaches, and supporters who have worked tirelessly to elevate the profile of the game. The upcoming match at the Aviva Stadium is a symbol of this progress, and I am excited to see how it inspires further growth and development in women's rugby.
