Excited Anna McGann thriving in competitive Ireland setting
In the world of Irish women's rugby, competition is fierce, and no player knows this better than Anna McGann. The 27-year-old winger has proven herself as a prolific try-scorer, with five international tries to her name.
McGann's international career began with a hat-trick performance during Ireland's Six Nations win over Italy in 2025. She followed this up with two tries in a recent World Cup warm-up match against Canada. Her pace and finishing ability have made her a formidable force on the pitch, with her tries coming from both wide finishes and strong breaks through midfield defenders.
The squad selection for the upcoming World Cup is highly competitive, with several quality players vying for limited places. McGann acknowledges the intense competition, seeing it as a driving force that raises standards within the team. She faces stiff competition, particularly from players like Beibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan, who are considered significant figures in Ireland's squad.
Despite the pressure, McGann remains modest, attributing her success to a team effort. Her fifth try, a burst through four defenders to score under the posts, was set up by Claire Boles with a pop pass in midfield. McGann credits Dannah O'Brien for putting her in the right part of the pitch during the match against Canada.
McGann reflects on her progress since the Six Nations and looks forward to continually improving as a squad. She believes that her performance in the tournament has given her some confidence, but emphasizes that she still has room for growth.
Scott Bemand, the head coach, highlights the current competitiveness of the squad. He notes that there were less moving parts between the squad announcement and the start of action two years ago compared to now. Bemand emphasizes the importance of consistency in the squad's game to achieve the best performances.
As the Ireland women's rugby team prepares to face Japan in two weeks' time, McGann, Parsons, and Costigan continue to push each other in a healthy rivalry. It's clear that the team is at its most competitive, and only time will tell who will secure a starting position in the World Cup squad, which is set to be announced tomorrow.
[1] Ireland Women's Rugby: McGann's Hat-trick Leads Ireland to Six Nations Victory Over Italy. (2025, February 14). The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/ireland-womens-rugby-mcganns-hat-trick-leads-ireland-to-six-nations-victory-over-italy-1.4670244
[2] Ireland Women's Rugby: McGann Scores Two Tries in World Cup Warm-up Against Canada. (2025, August 5). The Irish Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ireland-womens-rugby-mcgann-scores-two-tries-in-world-cup-warm-up-against-canada-39741533.html
[3] Ireland Women's Rugby: McGann's Versatility Shines in XVs and Sevens. (2025, May 15). RTÉ Sport. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/international/2025/0515/1147250-ireland-womens-rugby-mcganns-versatility-shines-in-xvs-and-sevens/
[4] Ireland Women's Rugby World Cup Squad to be Announced After Preparatory Games in August. (2025, July 15). The Irish Examiner. Retrieved from https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/ireland-womens-rugby-world-cup-squad-to-be-announced-after-preparatory-games-in-august-961352.html
In a slight shift from rugby, McGann's passion for sports extends to European football leagues, particularly the Premier League. She frequently watches matches, amazed by the skill and strategy displayed by the players.
During her downtime, McGann dreams of one day training with some of her favorite Premier League footballers, such as Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne, to see if she could keep up with their footballing prowess in a friendly match.
