International Rules Returns with a Twist

Topic: AFL Women’s

Friday, 15 May 2026, at 10:21 am

Bláithín Bogue and Jennifer Dunne were named in the All Australian squad in 2025.

In short:

The Australia vs Ireland international rules concept has been updated, with an Irish team set to meet Australia under AFLW rules in August.

Men's Australia vs Ireland matches have taken place under the hybrid international rules format since 1960 but have not been contested since 2017.

What's next?

Australia will host Ireland in a one-off women's match at North Sydney Oval on August 1 ahead of the AFLW season.

Australia and Ireland are set to meet in a historic, representative clash of Australian rules football.

The AFL announced the game, to be played under Australian rules with a Sherrin football, will be held on Saturday, August 1, at North Sydney Oval.

The match is the first representative fixture in the AFLW era since the one-off contest between Victoria and the Allies in 2017.

There are currently 46 Irish players across the competition, while more than 30 Irish players have previously played at AFLW level.

Back-to-back reigning premiers North Melbourne had four Irish players in its 2025 grand final squad.

Five Irish players were named in last year's All-Australian team.

Dayna Finn plays for Carlton via County Mayo and the Ireland women's basketball team.

The inclusion of representative football in the AFLW calendar is a significant moment for our game.

The match will highlight not only the incredible depth of talent across the competition but will also serve as a celebration of culture.

To see the game's biggest stars and emerging talent come together to represent their countries will be a truly special occasion.

In the lead-up to the AFLW grand final last year, North Melbourne's former Cork GAA star Erika O'Shea told AAP that the players would love to have an international series against Australia.

The Irish would absolutely love it. The Australians would too.

It just shows how much the girls are putting into the game. We'd love to have an Irish side take on Australia.

It would be funny. It would be chaotic. The Irish girls have definitely spoken about it.

Hopefully, if someone's listening, they can make it happen.

International Rules has not been played by the men since 2017.

The International Rules series between Ireland and Australia has not been played on the men's side since 2017.

The AFL this year did reintroduce a State of Origin match, with Victoria overcoming a late Jesse Hogan onslaught to post a 24-point win over Western Australia.

Former Geelong, Carlton, and Laois player Zach Tuohy has led the charge for a revival of the international rules concept.

Unless there's some logistical issue that I'm not aware of, I can't see why you wouldn't bring the men's and women's series back in tandem.

Go and play it in the United States. You'll have all the best players putting their hands up.

I loved it, absolutely loved it. You don't get many opportunities to represent your country playing AFL.

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Friday, 15 May 2026, at 10:21 am

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