Béibhinn Parsons on the way to scoring her second try and Ireland's fifth try, becoming Ireland's record try scorer, during the WXV Global Series match between Ireland and Japan at Dexcom Stadium, Galway. Photo: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile.

Ballinasloe's Parsons achieves personal try scoring milestone

Ronan Fagan

Published: Mon 28 Sep 2026, 11:05 AM

Ballinasloe's Beibhinn Parsons equalled the Ireland women's rugby try scoring record on Sunday afternoon when touching down twice during her team's Global WXV Series win over Japan in the Dexcom Stadium Galway.

The winger's two tries, which saw Ireland claim their first win of the Series, sees her draw level at the the top of the Ireland try scoring charts with former international Alison Miller, the IRFU confirmed in the aftermath of the contest.

Parsons (24) was making her first start of the Series and tries either side of the interval ensured she etched her name into the Ireland women's rugby history annals.

Parsons has reached her 24 tries tally in 37 test games, Miller achieving a similar number of five pointers after 47 international contests.

The Connacht player's strike-rate has been excellent over the last 14 months, with a total of nine tries in as many appearances for Ireland, and five in seven for the Clovers in the Celtic Challenge.

Eight years on from becoming Irish rugby's youngest ever senior international player, male or female, at the age of 16, Parsons is the second longest-serving member of the current squad, behind Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald.

Speaking to RTÉ in the aftermath of her historic heroics, Parsons said it was "special" to reach the try milestone at the Dexcom Stadium.

"It's not something that I went in, playing at 16, thinking that it would ever be associated with me," Parsons said.

Parsons added that she was happy to be clear of injury and "being back with the squad and getting to train and play".

"I love training, so being part of the group is so special to me," Parsons stated.

Meanwhile, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand Head believes the best of Parsons is still yet to come.

"Beibhinn's such an important player for Ireland women's rugby. She's incredibly professional.

"She knows she's not the finished article yet, but each time we challenge her, she keeps getting better and she keeps scoring tries, so more of that please," Bemand said.

Athlone's Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly from Creagh and Roscommon player Jemima Adams Verling also featured in Ireland's weekend victory.

Japan will once again provide the opposition for Ireland in Cork on Saturday next (October 2), a game which is not part of the WXV competition.