The 2017 event was the best-attended and most-viewed in tournament history.

Italy, Wales and Australia all leapfrog Ireland.

As the inquest into Ireland’s disastrous World Cup begins, Lindsay Peat has thanked the supporters who came out in numbers to get behind the team.

The defending champions were dethroned by the mighty Black Ferns last night.

Loosehead Toka Natua scored a hat-trick as New Zealand battled from 17 – 5 down to put 41 points on England.

On a day when Ireland’s World Cup preparations were criticised by now retired prop Ruth O’Reilly, Tierney maintained he was proud of the work he had done.

He had been in charge for three years.

Wales ensured Ireland finish eighth at their home World Cup and will have to go through a qualification process for the next edition.

There’s plenty about the women’s game that is going in the right direction, but all rugby stakeholders should feel invested in growing it further.

Head coach Tom Tierney has made four changes, two enforced by concussion injuries.

The Grand Slam winner ensures there will be an Irish voice on the field in the deciding match of the WRWC.

‘We’ll wait and see where that takes me,’ says Tierney.

Tom Tierney admits this campaign has been a ‘failure’ after watching his side slump to a humbling defeat in Belfast.

The defending champions dug deep to break down the heroic French defence in Belfast.

New Zealand scored seven tries on their way to the final, where they will face either England or France on Saturday.

Australia ran riot at Kingspan Stadium as they scored five tries to inflict a second straight defeat on the hosts.

Tom Tierney’s side face the Wallaroos in Belfast tomorrow.

The Black Ferns were on fire again.

And that was just on French TV.

Who would you have in your tournament dream team so far?

Claire Molloy is leading the in taking accountability as her squad head for Belfast with only 5th place to play for.

Ireland ended the match, and their World Cup chase, lamented another opening half in which they were second best.

Tom Tierney’s side were 21 points down at the break, and had to wait until the last play of the game to register their first score.

The hardest hitter in Ireland’s arsenal is determined to make the free-flowing French stop and think.

An eight-try rout has left 2014 runners-up Canada out of the running for a semi-final berth.

Tom Tierney’s team selection paves the way for a serious battle in UCD tomorrow evening.

The 27-year-old hopes to meet her family in Belfast for the first time next week.

There is pace and power all over the tournament, but the subtle touches are to be celebrated.

At a tournament as intimate as this, you’re never far from the flesh and blood of one of the star attractions.

Despite two error-strewn displays, just France stand between Tom Tierney’s side and a World Cup semi-final.

Les Blues will take some stopping in Thursday’s Pool C decider.

A victory inspired by heart and passion and you can never question those qualities in this Irish team; but they need to bring so much more if their hopes of going all the way are genuine.

Tom Tierney’s side scored 24 unanswered points after the break to keep their World Cup campaign on track. Just.

That was too close for comfort.

The Azzurri were able to knock the champions a little off their stride and scored a terrific try of their own in the first half.

‘The forwards do all the hard work, it’s easy for us to cross the line.’