Two Waterford women have been selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 International Tag Federation (ITF) Tag Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Pictured Left: Valerie Power   Pictured Right: Megan O’Mahony

Valerie Power and Megan O’Mahony have both been named in Ireland’s Women’s Senior/27s squad for the tournament, which takes place in Coffs Harbour from October 15th to 18th.

More than 200 teams from over 30 countries are expected to compete across men’s, women’s and mixed competitions during the four day event.

Valerie Power, originally from Bellelake in Waterford and now based on Williamstown Road, has represented Ireland in tag rugby since 2014. A former rugby union player with Shannon RFC, Munster and Blackrock College RFC, she now plays tag rugby with Waterpark RFC.

Speaking after her selection, she says she’s proud to once again represent Ireland on the international stage and believes the continued growth of the women’s game is a testament to the dedication of players, coaches and management.

For Megan O’Mahony, a Waterford City native, the selection marks a rapid rise through the sport after taking up tag rugby with Emerald Warriors RFC in 2022. She says representing Ireland at a World Cup in Australia, regarded as the birthplace of tag rugby, is ‘an absolute honour’.

Ireland is considered one of the world’s leading tag rugby nations and enjoyed success when it hosted the most recent World Cup in Limerick in 2023, winning medals across eight divisions.

Before heading to Australia, the Irish squads will take on Great Britain in the annual British & Irish Cup at UCD in Dublin over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The selection of both Valerie Power and Megan O’Mahony is being praised as another boost for tag rugby in Waterford, with the pair set to represent both their county and country against some of the world’s top players later this year.