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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Meet the wives and girlfriends of Ireland's rugby stars ahead of France clash

Ireland take on France this Saturday in the Guinness Six Nations.

As the top two ranked sides in the world, anticipation is at a fever pitch for the big game.

Andy Farrell's men kicked off their campaign with an impressive win in Cardiff last weekend. With that win, Ireland ended a 10-year winless run in Cardiff.

READ MORE: Ireland team v France: When Andy Farrell will name starting side for Six Nations Aviva Stadium clash

France on the other hand struggled before eventually pulling away from Italy late on. The reigning Grand Slam champions are expected to put in a much better performance in Dublin on Saturday.

It's all set to be a massive game, and cheering the Irish players on from the sidelines will be their wives and girlfriends:

James Lowe - Arnica Palmer


James Lowe married his longtime partner Arnica in February of last year.

James Lowe and wife Arnica (Instagram: @jameslowe_03)

The adorable couple tied the knot just days after Ireland had wrapped up a Triple Crown victory with a win over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Sharing a snap of the happy couple on Instagram at the time, Lowe simply commented: "23-3-22."

Meanwhile, sharing the same photo on her Instagram, Arnica wrote: "Mr & Mrs Lowe."

Lowe proposed to Arnica, who works as a legal executive with Bank of Ireland, back in November. The pair moved to Ireland in 2017 when Lowe was signed by Leinster.

Andrew Porter - Elaine Sutton

The Leinster prop got engaged to his longtime sweetheart in 2022, shortly after Ireland beat the All Blacks in a three test series on New Zealand soil.

Andrew Porter and Elaine Sutton (Instagram: @andrewporter_)


The pair have been dating for over four years and recently moved into a home in Dublin together.

The rugby star previously told how Elaine helps to pick him up after a tough day at work.

He told RSVP Magazine: "I like to chill out with my dog and my girlfriend. My girlfriend is the one person that chills me out more than anyone - she gets me."

Keith Earls - Edel Earls

Keith Earls married Edel in Clare in 2016 at Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Quilty, surrounded by family as well as Earls' Munster and Ireland teammates.

Keith Earls and his wife Edel (Inpho)

The pair have three daughters together, Ella May, Laurie and Emie.

When their first child Ella May was born back in 2012, she fell ill and remained in hospital.

She grew up with a serious respiratory lung condition and at the dawning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Earls spoke out urging people to be vigilant to protect his daughter and others like her with underlying conditions.

He said: "As a father of a child with a serious respiratory lung condition and many others like her, I urge the public to please listen to the professionals. I will do everything I can to protect her."

Garry Ringrose - Ellen Beirne

The couple have been dating for several years, with Ringrose one of the most important members to Ireland's squad.

Garry Ringrose and Ellen Beirne (Instagram/ Garry Ringrose)

Previously speaking about Ellen, Ringrose told Independent.ie: “I am incredibly lucky to have her in my corner in the not-so-great times.

“It’s even better having them (her and his family) on the great days because they have been through it all on that same journey with you. Thankfully I have her with me, she is a huge support.”

Robbie Henshaw - Sophie Marren

Marron has been dating Henshaw for quite a number of years, after getting together in 2016.

Robbie Henshaw and Sophie Marren (Instagram/ Sophie Marren)

She made her red carpet debut with him years ago, but has kept a low profile since.

Johnny Sexton - Laura Priestley

Childhood sweethearts Johnny Sexton and Laura Priestley married in a gorgeous Limerick ceremony back in 2013.

They welcomed their first child, Luca, in 2013 and their second, Amy, one day after Ireland's clash with Wales back in 2016 followed by their third, Sophie, in 2018.

Tadhg Furlong - Aine Lacey

The Ireland forward has been in a long-term relationship with Cushinstown native Aine Lacey for some time.

Ireland's Tadhg Furlong in action against Australia (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Although there's not an awful lot known about the pair or their relationship.

Tadhg Beirne - Harriet Fuller

The Munster lock and his fiancee have been going out for some time, and Beirne popped the question over a year ago.

He proposed in December 2021 at Adare Manor Hotel in Limerick.

Peter O'Mahony - Jessica Moloney

Belgian born Jessica is a solicitor in Cork and has been dating O'Mahony for a number of years.

After getting engaged back in March of 2018, the couple got married in the summer of 2020.

In 2022, the couple were finally able to have a proper celebration of their marriage surrounded by friends and family in a lavish ceremony in France.

They have three children together; daughter Indie and sons Theo and Ralph.

Conor Murray - Joanna Cooper

The Limerick man, who started against Wales after Jamison Gibson Park's injury, is engaged to 2015 Miss Universe Ireland winner Joanna Cooper.

Conor Murray celebrates with his partner Joanna Cooper (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Cooper studied Journalism at Belfast University and works as a model.

According to her Instagram page, she works with Present Model Management and Studio Paris MGMT.

The couple got engaged in March 2021.

In December 2022, Cooper announced on Instagram that the wedding would take place in six months time.

Jack Conan - Ali Cunningham

Jack Conan and Ali Cunningham at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball (Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)

The Leinster number eight has been dating Ali Cunningham for the past four and a half years.

Bundee Aki - Kayla Ielemia

Aki took a year out from his professional rugby career in 2011, when he worked as a bank teller at a Westpac in his native New Zealand to earn money for his family.

Bundee Aki and his wife Kayla (Instagram/ Bundee Aki)

After reigniting his career with the Chiefs, Aki moved with his wife and kids to Galway where he would go on to win the PRO12 Championship and build a formidable reputation in his new home.

Aki's and his wife Kayla Ielemia have three children together; daughters Armani-Jade and Adrianna as well as a son named Andronikas.

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