07 Aug Women’s 1st & 2nd XV Schedules Released for 2026/27
The wait is officially over! Navan RFC is delighted to confirm the released fixture schedules for our Women’s 1st XV and 2nd XV squads for the 2026/2027 season have been revealed!
Following an unprecedented 2025/26 campaign, which saw our 1st XV come Runner-Up in their first season in Leinster League Division One and capture the Leinster Paul Flood Cup and qualify for national competition, while our 2nd XV were competitive in Leinster Division 3, the upcoming season promises high-octane action, local derbies, and national cup dates at Balreask Old.
With head coach Jackie Shiels and her elite coaching group preparing the squads during pre-season at Balreask Old, both teams now know their path forward in what promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes year of competitive rugby.
This season also brings significant and exciting structural changes to the top tier of Leinster Women’s League rugby:
- League Expansion to 10 Teams: Leinster League Division 1 has expanded to a 10-team competition following the integration of former Metro 2nd’s League sides, specifically the Blackrock College J1/2nd XV and Railway Union J1/2nd XV. The arrival of these top-tier club reserves elevates the quality and depth of opposition across the board.
- Nine Single-Round Fixtures: Rather than traditional home-and-away league legs, the regular season now consists of nine rounds, with each team playing every opponent just once. Every single league fixture will carry huge weight with zero margin for error.
- Introduction of a Marquee League Final: In a blockbuster change to determine the champions, the regular league season will culminate in an official League Final scheduled for Saturday, 6th March 2027.
Women’s 1st XV Schedule (Leinster Div 1 & All-Ireland Junior Cup)
Coming off a historic 2025/26 season, Navan RFC Women’s 1st XV will kick off their Leinster League Division 1 campaign on Sunday, 26th September 2026, welcoming New Ross to Balreask Old for a high-stakes opening round encounter (1PM KO).
In addition to their domestic league title ambitions, the squad’s outstanding second-placed finish in Division 1 last season officially earned them a coveted place on the national stage in the All-Ireland Junior Cup, handing Navan RFC a mouth-watering away trip to Belfast to face Ulster contenders Malone RFC in the Quarter-Finals on Saturday, 17th October 2026.
League & Cup Fixtures (All 1pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated)
- Round 1: Sun 26th Sept 2026 — New Ross (Home)
- Round 2: Sun 3rd Oct 2026 — Tullamore (Away)
- Round 3: Sun 10th Oct 2026 — Edenderry (Home)
- All-Ireland Junior Cup Quarter-Final: Sat 17th Oct 2026 — Malone (Away)
- Round 4: Sun 31st Oct 2026 — Railway Union (Away)
- Round 5: Sun 7th Nov 2026 — Blackrock College (Home)
- Round 6: Sun 21st Nov 2026 — Balbriggan (Away)
- All-Ireland Junior Cup: Sun 28th Nov 2026 — Semi-Final
- Round 7: Sun 5th Dec 2026 — Athy (Home)
- Round 8: Sun 12th Dec 2026 — Naas (Away)
- Round 9: Sun 9th Jan 2027 — Clontarf (Away)
- All-Ireland Junior Cup: Sun 16th Jan 2027 — Final
- Leinster League: Sat 6th March 2027 — Final
- Leinster League Play-Offs: Sun 13th March 2027 — Promotion / Relegation
- Paul Flood Cup Round 1: Sun 20th March 2027
- WAIL Play-Off: Sun 27th March 2027 — Semi-Final
- Paul Flood Cup Round 2: Sun 3rd April 2027
- WAIL Final: Sun 10th April 2027 — Promotion Final
- Paul Flood Cup Semi-Final: Sun 17th April 2027
- Paul Flood Cup Final / WAIL Promotion/Relegation: Sun 24th April 2027
Women’s 2nd XV Schedule (Leinster Division 3)
Fresh off their debut campaign in Division 3, our Women’s 2nd XV step up in the 2026/27 Leinster League Division 3. They face a full home-and-away campaign against CYM, Birr, Longford, Dublin University (Trinity), Arklow, Roscrea and fellow Meath side; Ashbourne, alongside defending their form in the Paul Cusack Cup:
League & Cup Fixtures (All 1pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated)
- Round 1: Sun 26th Sept 2026 — CYM (Away)
- Round 2: Sun 3rd Oct 2026 — Birr (Home)
- Round 3: Sun 17th Oct 2026 — Longford (Away)
- Round 4: Sun 31st Oct 2026 — Dublin University (Home)
- Round 5: Sun 7th Nov 2026 — Arklow (Away)
- Round 6: Sun 21st Nov 2026 — Ashbourne (Home)
- Round 7: Sun 5th Dec 2026 — Roscrea (Away)
- Round 8: Sun 12th Dec 2026 — CYM (Home)
- Round 9: Sun 9th Jan 2027 — Birr (Away)
- Round 10: Sun 23rd Jan 2027 — Longford (Home)
- Round 11: Sun 6th Feb 2027 — Dublin University (Away)
- Round 12: Sun 13th Feb 2027 — Arklow (Home)
- Round 13: Sun 27th Feb 2027 — Ashbourne (Away)
- Round 14: Sun 6th March 2027 — Roscrea (Home)
- Leinster League Play-Offs: Sun 13th March 2027 — Promotion / Relegation
- Paul Cusack Cup: Sun 20th March 2027 — Round 1
- Paul Cusack Cup: Sun 3rd April 2027 — Paul Cusack Cup Round 2
- Paul Cusack Cup: Sun 17th April 2027 — Paul Cusack Cup Semi-Final
- Paul Cusack Cup Final: Sun 24th April 2027
With a massive calendar of rugby ahead, there has never been a better time to support Women’s rugby in County Meath. Mark your calendars, head down to Balreask Old on Sunday afternoons, and get behind both teams as they chase silverware on the Provincial and National stages!
Interested in joining or sponsoring the squad?
- Contact Head Coach Jackie Shiels: +353 (0)87 362 9825
- Email: navanladiesrugby@gmail.com;