Time is ticking and the anticipation is growing within the Irish Women’s Rugby Team ahead of their participation in the upcoming tournament which will start in the UK on August 22. Ireland will enter the action against Japan, on Sunday, August 24 before they go on to face Spain (August 31) and the Black Ferns from New Zealand (September 7) in their final group game. And of course, Opel Ireland will be backing the Irish Rugby Football Union all the way.
To prepare for the global event, the eight Opel brand ambassadors in the Ireland squad took a somewhat unusual approach – they met up with the Opel Ireland marketing team around Marketing Director Emma Toner and Senior Marketing Executive Andre O’Brien for an exclusive shoot for an out-of-home and social media advertising campaign. The creative incorporates Opel’s Irish Rugby sponsorship, the brand’s support of Irish Rugby women’s players, and the launch campaign of the new Opel Mokka in Ireland, entitled ‘Head turner’, with ‘join the green wave’ as the tagline.
The Green Wave is a national movement, initially conceived by the women’s players themselves, aimed at celebrating and growing women’s rugby, and proudly supported by many leading brands and agencies in Ireland who have worked tirelessly for years to support women’s rugby. “It was great to have all of the ambassadors together. It not only shows Opel’s unwavering support for Irish Rugby but also impressively demonstrates how much overall support has grown. We started off with Amee Leigh Costigan in 2021 and today, thanks to the excellent cooperation with our dealers we have been able to grow that group to eight ambassadors,” said O’Brien.
Costigan was presented with an Opel Mokka, in the summer of 2021. She was joined by Stacey Flood in the summer of 2022. Today Stacey drives an Opel Astra Electric. Linda Djougang joined the line-up in 2023 and a Mokka is her vehicle of choice. Beibhinn Parsons was signed as Opel brand ambassador to Main Opel Dealer, Bill Sheehan & Sons Terenure in January 2024 and she drives a Mokka Electric. Aoife Dalton was signed to Main Opel Dealer, Tullamore Opel, just weeks later in March 2024 and she was presented with an Opel Corsa. Aoife Wafer is supported by Ferrybank Motors, Main Opel Dealer in Wexford and signed up as brand ambassador in late 2024, taking delivery of an Opel Mokka. Anna McGann currently drives an Opel Mokka in her role as ambassador to Opel Ireland. Sam Monaghan landed an ambassador role at Navan Opel, Main Opel Dealer for Meath in spring 2025 and currently enjoys an Opel Mokka.
Emma Toner, Marketing Director said: “Our support for Irish women’s rugby since Opel became official car partner to the IRFU in 2021 is undeniable. In the true spirit of the Green Wave, we have worked relentlessly, alongside our Dealer Network to back players and clubs nationwide. Indeed, we have supported dozens of clubs throughout Ireland under the Opel Drive the Passion Balls for Clubs programme, donating hundreds of training balls to girls and women.”
She continued: “Today Opel and several of our Dealer partners are proud to be represented by a party of eight formidable women, who form a significant percentage of the Ireland line-up in the games ahead. We have delighted in seeing these players and their teammates grow into the international Irish Rugby stars they were destined to become. We wish every one of the team the best of everything for the big games ahead. What better way to show our support than making this loud, visible statement on giant billboards.”
With the full support of Opel Ireland and a nation, the Irish women will be hoping to create a stir in the championship and create everlasting memories.
August 2025