Nichola Fryday

An imposing and fierce lock, Nichola Fryday currently represents Exeter Chiefs Women. She captained the Ireland national rugby union team from 2022 to 2023. She earned her first cap in 2016 and retired from international competition in 2023.

Born on 2 June 1995 in Offaly, Ireland, Nichola Fryday was introduced to rugby while at University College Dublin. She was interested in the sport as a teenager but her school, Kilkenny College, did not have a girls’ rugby team. It was her mum who prompted her to explore her interests and she subsequently joined Tullamore RFC in 2015.

One year later, in 2016, she was selected to join the Connacht squad. This was a huge year for Fryday’s career. In addition to Connacht, she also secured her first cap for Ireland and made her first appearance for the senior Tullamore RFC team—all of this just two years after she began playing rugby.

After graduating with a degree in food and agri-business management, Fryday signed to Galwegians in 2018. This was followed by a transfer to Old Belvedere in 2019 and Blackrock College in 2020. She moved to her current club, Exeter Chiefs, at the end of 2021. 

In addition to her club career, Fryday was a successful international player. She contested her first Six Nations in 2017, started in all five fixtures in 2019, and captained the squad at the 2022 and 2023 tournaments. 

A few months after the 2023 Six Nations, Fryday announced her retirement from international rugby. She had captained the team for two seasons and earned a total of 34 caps. Despite stepping away from the national squad, Fryday remains dedicated to the Exeter Chiefs. 

A talented lock with plenty more to give, we’re looking forward to Nichola Fryday’s next Premiership performance.