IRELAND STAR NICOLE Fowley has announced her retirement from international rugby.
The Drumcliff native, who plays her club rugby for Galwegians made the announcement on her instagram page, writing, “Ten years on from my first cap against England in 2016 to the 2025 Rugby World Cup, it’s been an unforgettable journey. I’ve travelled the world, made lifelong friends, and every moment in the green jersey has been an honour.
“The highs were incredible, the lows made me stronger, and I’m grateful for the resilience they taught me. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife, parents, family, coaches/physios and teammates
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Fowley first came to prominence with Galwegians and Connacht in 2016, winning her first three international caps as a centre during the late Tom Tierney’s coaching tenure.
Players of the calibre of Nora Stapleton, Niamh Briggs, Sene Taiti-Fanene, Jenny Murphy and Katie Fitzhenry dominated the 10-12-13 axis for the next couple of years, until Fowley earned a recall for the 2019 Six Nations. She was ever-present during that year’s Championship, emerging as the starting out-half under then-head coach Adam Griggs.
Fowley then lost out on her position before being recalled to international duty by Scott Bemand for the WXV3 in 2023, where she landed six conversions during an impressive second half cameo against Kazakhstan. It was her first appearance at international level since the 2019 Six Nations.
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Speaking at the time Fowley said, “I was almost at a stage that I thought my Ireland days were probably over,” she revealed. “I was really just focusing on club and province at the time and doing the best I could for them in terms of being a captain, a leader and performing to my best ability.
“I didn’t really put pressure on myself to think, ‘Oh God, should I push myself for a spot with Ireland’, like I honestly didn’t.
“My main focus was to be the best player I could be for Connacht, and I guess in doing that maybe it took the pressure off in terms of having to perform well. In the end it worked out.”
Fowley was part of the Ireland Squad in subsequent Six Nations and WXV1 campaigns and was named in the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad, but the Sligo woman has now called time on her international career.
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Connacht and Ireland's Nicole Fowley retires from international rugby
IRELAND STAR NICOLE Fowley has announced her retirement from international rugby.
The Drumcliff native, who plays her club rugby for Galwegians made the announcement on her instagram page, writing, “Ten years on from my first cap against England in 2016 to the 2025 Rugby World Cup, it’s been an unforgettable journey. I’ve travelled the world, made lifelong friends, and every moment in the green jersey has been an honour.
“The highs were incredible, the lows made me stronger, and I’m grateful for the resilience they taught me. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife, parents, family, coaches/physios and teammates
Fowley first came to prominence with Galwegians and Connacht in 2016, winning her first three international caps as a centre during the late Tom Tierney’s coaching tenure.
Players of the calibre of Nora Stapleton, Niamh Briggs, Sene Taiti-Fanene, Jenny Murphy and Katie Fitzhenry dominated the 10-12-13 axis for the next couple of years, until Fowley earned a recall for the 2019 Six Nations. She was ever-present during that year’s Championship, emerging as the starting out-half under then-head coach Adam Griggs.
Fowley then lost out on her position before being recalled to international duty by Scott Bemand for the WXV3 in 2023, where she landed six conversions during an impressive second half cameo against Kazakhstan. It was her first appearance at international level since the 2019 Six Nations.
Speaking at the time Fowley said, “I was almost at a stage that I thought my Ireland days were probably over,” she revealed. “I was really just focusing on club and province at the time and doing the best I could for them in terms of being a captain, a leader and performing to my best ability.
“I didn’t really put pressure on myself to think, ‘Oh God, should I push myself for a spot with Ireland’, like I honestly didn’t.
“My main focus was to be the best player I could be for Connacht, and I guess in doing that maybe it took the pressure off in terms of having to perform well. In the end it worked out.”
Fowley was part of the Ireland Squad in subsequent Six Nations and WXV1 campaigns and was named in the Women’s Rugby World Cup squad, but the Sligo woman has now called time on her international career.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
a new chapter Connacht Irish Rugby Retirement Women's Rugby