IRELAND WILL BE without captain Niamh Briggs for next month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The experienced international had hoped to feature after missing this year’s Six Nations campaign with a hamstring injury.

However, the fullback picked up an Achilles injury in training that has ruled her out of the tournament.

Louise Glavin has been called up as a replacement.

In a statement issued today, Ireland head coach Tom Tierney said:

“Both the players and management are really disappointed for Niamh as everyone has seen the incredible work and effort she’s put in over the last number of months in an attempt to get herself right for this tournament.

For her to have recovered well from her hamstring injury and then suffer a new injury is really unfortunate for her, as everyone knows how much she was looking forward to leading the team in the World Cup.”

Ireland will choose a new captain for the World Cup campaign in the coming days.

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