Exeter Chiefs and Ireland International Dorothy Wall looking forward to blockbuster Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Exeter

Ireland international and Exeter Chiefs flanker Dorothy Wall has called on the “local Exeter support” to attend this Sunday’s blockbuster Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Sandy Park as Ireland prepare to clash with France this Sunday.

Sandy Park has already hosted five entertaining matches in the tournaments pool stages, and all eyes are now turned to the knock-out stages, as both Ireland and France look to come out on top and reach the semi-finals.

Ireland stormed through the pools with wins over Japan and Spain, racking up tries in style. Even against mighty New Zealand, they showed grit and flashes of brilliance. The team is hungry, fearless, and ready to shake up France. However, this won’t be done easily. France marched through the pools unbeaten, and their confidence is sky-high heading into the quarters.

Three Exeter Chiefs players, Nanay McGillivray, Edel 'Tricky' McMahon and Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, are part of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad, whilst the city has been twinned with major French city Rennes since 1956 – making this a fixture full of local connections.

Wall, 25, is missing the tournament through an Achilles tendon injury sustained in April but has been cheering her teammates on from the sidelines.

Wall said: “I’m so excited. Seeing Ireland qualify for the quarter-finals after we didn’t qualify for the last World Cup is extremely historic. It’s really special and a testament to the journey we’ve been on.

“It’s important that people get behind us, not just in Ireland but also locally. There are three Exeter Chiefs players on the Irish team, and they would really appreciate the local Exeter support. It’s an incredibly exciting fixture so make sure to get your tickets and join us in the stands as Sandy Park.”

Wall was speaking in the heart of Exeter on Thursday morning as a pedal-powered coffee machine handed out free coffees to members of the public. Capturing the attention of passersby, the energy is showing no signs of slowing down in Exeter. Wall said fans attending Sandy Park can expect a vibrant atmosphere, non-stop entertainment and player interaction as some of rugby’s greatest nations go head-to-head.

She said: “The girls always give their time to fans. What you get back from a women’s game is so much more than just the on-pitch action. Sandy Park is a great stadium. I’ve never been to a stadium which feels so close to the action. You’re right there – and it’ll be an incredible weekend of sport.”

The tournament, which kicked-off on August 22nd, has already been seen as a generational moment for women’s rugby, with it the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup of all time.

It has already smashed records as the fastest-selling edition of the tournament ever, with more than 400,000 tickets sold, and tickets are still available for this weekend’s quarter-final action at Exeter’s Sandy Park.

Tickets are still available for both matches in Exeter this weekend. To make sure you don’t miss out, visit tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. For the latest tournament updates and fixture details, visit rugbyworldcup.com/2025.