The role was advertised seven weeks after Tom Tierney stood down.

With several other players retiring and coach Tom Tierney resigning, it’s quite the transitional period for the women’s team.

What a match, what an atmosphere.

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.

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.

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

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.

The Black Ferns were on fire again.

And that was just on French TV.

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

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

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

Here are the players who stood out on the opening day of the tournament.

We take a closer look at the second of Ireland’s Pool C opponents.

The Ireland captain missed the Six Nations with a separate injury.

The Old Belvedere clubwoman would love the opportunity to turn professional.