THE IRELAND WOMEN squad jetted out to France this morning ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on Friday.
Philip Doyle’s side face the muscular USA first up on the 1st of August, before meeting current world champions New Zealand four days later. Their Pool B campaign concludes with a meeting against a powerful Kazakhstan team on the 9th of August.
Topping the group would guarantee a semi-final place, although Ireland could still be amongst the top four with a strong second-place finish. The competition runs in identical fashion to the Junior World Championship, with play-off matches deciding the final ranking order of the teams.
Led by the experienced Fiona Coghlan, Ireland have been open in targeting the top four, which would represent new ground for Doyle’s ever-improving squad.
**********
Jackie Shiels was in good form on the flight from Dublin, alongside a sleepy Alison Miller
Tania Rosser is happy to be back in the international fold
Niamh Briggs and Larissa Muldoon were busy doing some analysis
Captain Fiona Coghlan led the team off in Paris
Centre Jenny Murphy tested her footwork in Charles de Gaulle Airport
Sophie Spence looked relaxed upon landing
Heather O’Brien fed the ducks at the team hotel in Marcoussis
As Claire Molloy enjoyed the fellow guests
Ireland fixtures at the Women’s Rugby World Cup:
- Ireland v USA, 1st August [KO 16.00 Irish time] – TG4
- Ireland v New Zealand, 5th August [KO 17.00] – TG4
- Ireland v Kazakhstan, 9th August [KO 12.00] – TG4
- Play-off match 1, 13th August
- Play-off match 2, 17th August