IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series
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The IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series, previously known as the IWRFU Interprovincial Championship, is the top level women's rugby union competition in Ireland. It is organised by the Irish Rugby Football Union. It is the women's equivalent of the former IRFU Interprovincial Championship.
Current season or competition: 2025 IRFU Women's Interprovincial Series | |
| Sport | Women's rugby union |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 4 |
| Province |  Connacht Leinster Munster Ulster |
| Holders | Munster (16th title) |
| Most titles | Munster (16 titles) |
| Website | www.irishrugby.ie |
The competition takes place every December and features four teams representing Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.[1][2] The competition effectively acts as a selection trials process for both the Celtic Challenge regional cross-border competition featuring the Wolfhounds and Clovers teams, and the Ireland women's national rugby union team that competes in the subsequent Women's Six Nations Championship.[3]
Since 2016 the IRFU has also organised a similar under 18s competition.[4]
Format
The competition has historically used a round-robin format, similar to the one used in both the Six Nations Championship and the Women's Six Nations Championship. Each team playing the other three teams once. The following year the fixtures are reversed.[1]
In recent seasons, the competition has also featured playoffs, consisting of a third-place playoff or minor final, and a final[5][6][7]
Winners
^ Munster win title due to superior points table difference
^^ Both sides finished the campaign with two wins and a loss but Leinster's superior scoring difference +52 during round-robin (Connaught's +26)
^* Both sides finished the campaign with two wins and a draw but Leinster's superior scoring difference +64 during round-robin (Munster's +37)
Source:[1]
All-time record
Although Ulster won the first two championships, the competition has habitually been dominated by Munster and Leinster, with the former winning 16 titles and the latter eight. Connacht have yet to win the competition, although they have finished as runners up twice in late 2010s.
| Province | Titles | Runners-up | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munster Rugby | 16 | 6 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2025 |
| Leinster Rugby | 8 | 15 | 2005, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 |
| Ulster Rugby | 2 | 1 | 1999, 2000 |
| Connacht Rugby | - | 2 | - |