Sean Farrell reports from Belfast
IRELAND WILL FACE France and Australia in what promises to be a tough Pool C of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
The draw for the tournament took place in Belfast City Hall today with Ireland, fourth-placed finishers in 2014, alongside New Zealand and the USA in the second pot of seeds in the three pool tournament.
Defending champions England will face the challenge of USA when the tournament will take place in Dublin and Belfast next August.
There are three slots yet to be filled in the draw with five teams hoping to seal qualification before the year is out.
The final European spot will be taken by either Scotland or Spain as they face off over home and away legs this month.
Fiji, Japan and Hong Kong will compete in a round robin tournament next month with the top finisher taking a spot in Ireland’s pool and the second place finisher taking the final place at Ireland 2017.
Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool Draw
Pool A
Canada
New Zealand
Wales
Asia/Oceania 2
Pool B
England
USA
Italy
Europe 1
Pool C
France
Ireland
Australia
Asia / Oceania 1
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