As the final whistle echoed across Oslo’s Bislett Stadium, a sea of emerald jerseys erupted in cheers, hugs, and tears. The Emerald Warriors RFC, Ireland’s pioneering inclusive rugby club, had just claimed the Union Cup 2025 title — their first European championship win in two decades of competition. For a team built on the principles of inclusivity, courage, and community, the victory was more than a sporting triumph. It was the culmination of twenty-two years of growth, representing not just a club, but a movement redefining what rugby can be.
This didn’t happen overnight. It was forged through years of commitment, resilience, and a shared love for the game.
The Union Cup, organised by International Gay Rugby (IGR), is Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby tournament, attracting more than 45 teams from 10 countries. The 2025 edition — hosted by Oslo Raballders RFC — showcased the sport’s vibrant diversity and competitive spirit.
Ireland’s representation was particularly strong, led by the Emerald Warriors, who travelled with over 130 players, coaches, medics, and supporters. The Dublin-based club fielded four teams: three men+ squads (Green, Navy and Tesl) and a women+ team, the Azure Warriors — Ireland’s only women+ side at the event.
The Warriors’ Green Team entered the tournament determined to avenge their semi-final exit in 2023. From the opening pool games, their intent was clear: powerful forward play, precise kicking, and a defensive wall that frustrated opponents. They swept through the group stages unbeaten, setting up a semi-final clash with old rivals Les Gaillards Paris — the same French club that had eliminated them two years prior. This time, Dublin’s finest prevailed, punching their ticket to the final. In a fiercely contested match against Los Valents de Montpellier, the Warriors showed both grit and flair. Tries coupled with a disciplined defence sealed the club’s first-ever Union Cup championship.
Winning our first IGR tournament is a massive milestone. We will all cherish the memories of lifting the Union Cup together.
While the Green Team captured headlines, another historic moment unfolded just a few pitches away. The Azure Warriors, captained by Marion Peltret, arrived in Oslo with a full 25-player squad — a milestone for the club’s women+ division. Competing in a challenging bracket, the Azures displayed skill, heart, and cohesion, finishing joint third and taking home the Emily Valentine Vase, named after Ireland’s first recorded female rugby player. Their performance signals a new era for women+ inclusive rugby in Ireland — one of visibility, strength, and growth.
Two years ago we didn’t have a full team. This year, we landed with a full squad and a belief that we belonged here.
The Warriors’ success resonated far beyond Oslo. For Ireland’s LGBTQ+ sporting community, it was a validation of years of effort to foster inclusive participation in mainstream sport. Since their founding in 2003, the Emerald Warriors RFC have championed rugby as a space for everyone — regardless of gender, sexuality, or experience level. Their journey mirrors a broader shift in Irish society: one toward openness, equality, and pride.