Sport

Ireland discover opponents for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup

Ireland performed admirably at the 2014 Women's World Cup before losing to eventual winners England at the semi-final stage.
Ireland performed admirably at the 2014 Women's World Cup before losing to eventual winners England at the semi-final stage. Ireland performed admirably at the 2014 Women's World Cup before losing to eventual winners England at the semi-final stage.

IRELAND have been drawn in a pool with France, Australia and the winner of the Asia / Oceania qualifier group for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The draw took place this morning at Belfast City Hall as Ireland prepares to host the competition for the first time in its eighth edition.

The pool stages will be held at University College Dublin, with the semi-finals and finals being held at Queen’s University and Kingspan Stadium.

The Irish girls made waves at the 2014 tournament, beating New Zealand in the group stage before qualifying for the semi-final, where they went down to eventual winners England.

France overcame Ireland in the third place playoff and the current holders of the Women’s Six Nations title will provide the sternest test to the girls in green.

An Australian team that has twice this year suffered heavy defeats by the All Blacks will also compete for a quarter-final spot along with the winner of the Asia / Oceania qualifying group, which contains Fiji, Japan and Hong Kong.

Pool B brings together England and USA, with Italy and the winner of the European qualifying group making up a tough section.

New Zealand’s stern competition in Pool A will come from beaten 2014 finalists Canada, Wales and the runner-up from the Asia / Oceania group.

2017 Women's Rugby World Cup


Pool A: Canada, New Zealand, Wales, Asia / Oceania runner-up


Pool B: England, USA, Italy, Europe winner


Pool C: France, Ireland, Australia, Asia / Oceania winner