10 Aug Navan RFC Players Feature in Leinster Interprovincial Openers
It was a landmark day for the women’s pathway at Balreask Old as four Navan RFC players stepped onto the pitch at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, 8th August, to represent Leinster in the opening round of the provincial championships.
Features spanned across both senior and age-grade levels, showcasing the remarkable depth of talent currently being cultivated at the club.
Senior Vodafone Interprovincial Championship: Three Navan Representatives in Cork
In the senior curtain-raiser of the 2026 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship, Leinster faced a tough 39–19 defeat away to reigning champions Munster. Despite the scoreline, it was a momentous day for Navan RFC, with three home-grown stars heavily involved in the matchday 23.
Rosie Searle Starts at Flanker
Senior standout Rosie Searle retained her starting jersey, lining out at blindside flanker (#6) and putting in a grueling defensive shift against a physical Munster pack.
Senior Debut Honors for Alex Connor & Shona White
The afternoon was made even more special as both Alex Connor and Shona White earned their first senior provincial caps, entering the fray as second-half replacements:
- Alex Connor (#21) entered the match in the 52nd minute at scrum-half, replacing starting half-back and former Navan RFC youth player; Jade Gaffney.
- Shona White (#18) introduced her trademark physicality five minutes from time, packing down in the front row to help shore up the Leinster scrum.
Their debuts mark a significant personal milestone, particularly for Shona, whose meteoric rise from picking up a rugby ball just two years ago to earning a senior Leinster cap serves as a true inspiration for the entire club.
PwC Under-18 Girls Interprovincial Championship: Emma O’Rourke Commands at Number Eight
Directly following the senior clash at Virgin Media Park, the Leinster Under-18 Girls kicked off their PwC Interprovincial title defense against Munster U18s.
Navan youth star Emma O’Rourke lined out at Number Eight (#8), delivering a dominant first-half performance as Leinster established a 10–7 lead at the break. However, a strong second-half surge from the host nation saw Munster run out 27–17 victors.
As a returning champion from last year’s winning side, Emma’s leadership and ball-carrying presence remain pivotal for Leinster as they look to bounce back in Round 2 against Connacht at Energia Park this coming Saturday, 15th August.
The Pride of Balreask Old
To see four Navan RFC players; Rosie, Alex, Shona, and Emma wearing the Leinster crest on the same day in Cork is an immense source of pride for their families, coaches, and everyone at Balreask Old.
Congratulations to Alex and Shona on earning their senior provincial caps, and best of luck to all four players as they continue their Interprovincial campaigns this coming weekend!