AOIFE WAFER JOINS HARLEQUINS WOMEN

Harlequins Women are delighted to announce the arrival of Irish international Aoife Wafer.

The 22-year-old joins the Club with a stellar resume, having been named as the Guiness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for 2025, after also being nominated in 2024.

She was also named in the 2024 World Rugby XVs Team of the Year after a standout campaign for Ireland.

An all-action talent who can play across the backrow, Wafer will link up with the side following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup.

After enjoying a breakthrough Six Nations campaign in 2024, Wafer announced herself on the world stage with a two-try performance in September, as Ireland secured a famous victory over the Black Ferns.

Hailing from Wexford, Wafer has represented her province Leinster, as well as the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge, where she helped them secure back-to-back titles.

She made her Ireland debut in 2022 against Italy and has since gone on to become a key figure as part of a resurgent Irish side that secured consecutive third place finishes in the Women’s Six Nations, as well as qualification for the WXV1 tournament last season.

“The history that the Club is steeped in is something that really stood out to me. I’m really looking forward to being here and I can’t wait to get going. This league has all the star players in the world in it. I want to be the best player in the world, and I can’t wait to test myself out against those stars every week,” Wafer explained.

“I was very lucky to come over to a game a few months ago and meet some of the girls and the family values were something that really stood out to me. That’s really important to me, and I know that my family will be well looked after over here as well.”

Wafer is also keen to ensure that she continues to show the skillset she has displayed in the international game in Harlequins colours.

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“Hopefully what people have seen on the international stage is what they’ll get from me at Quins! I’m going to be working incredibly hard to be the best version of myself and hopefully that can really benefit the team, because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about whole team.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm explained that Wafer is a player who he has long admired, expressing his delight after securing the services of a world-class talent.

“We saw Aoife break through on the international scene and saw that the way she plays the game really suits the brand of rugby we want to play here too. We’ve watched her on her journey over the last few years and seen the progression she has had. She’s announced herself as a real world-class operator.”

“We want people here who are going to fit into our environment and also feel like they belong in it and with Aoife, we feel like it’s a perfect fit. When we are looking at recruitment, we always look at how players will fit into the Harlequins DNA, and with Aoife, it’s clear that she really suits our style and the way we want to play. I’m delighted that she is going to be with us next season," said Chisholm.

IRFU Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways Gillian McDarby added: “We’re pleased for Aoife as she takes this next step in her career with Harlequins, where she will have the opportunity to further her development in a high-performance environment. Her journey is a testament to the investment and progress within the Irish system, which continues to produce talent capable of performing at the highest level. We look forward to continuing to work with Aoife in green during the international windows.”