WRWC France 2014

[Broken Wing]

It might come as a surprise to some but Ireland open their Women's RWC campaign on Friday against the USA (1600 kick off, live on TG4).

Ireland have been drawn in a pool with New Zealand who are aiming for their 5th WRWC on the trot, the USA and Kazakhstan. There are three pools and only the winners and best runner up proceed to the semis so Ireland will need big wins over USA and Kazakhstan to have a shot at the title. Ireland have played in 5 of the previous 6 WRWCs but never made it to the semi finals. In 2010 Ireland finished as pool runners up (behind beaten finalists England and ahead of USA and Kazakhstan) before eventually beating Scotland to finish 7th, matching their best ever finish (USA finished 6th and Kazakhstan 11th).

The pool stage takes place over 3 match days, August 1st, 5th (when Ireland play New Zealand (1700 kick off, live on TG4) and August 9th (Ireland v Kazakhstan, 1200 kick off, TG4 again).

[IanD]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/28529462

Ireland women confident ahead of World Cup in France

''Ireland's women's rugby team are confident they can continue their impressive form and prove they are a force to be reckoned with at the forthcoming World Cup in France.
The 2013 Six Nations Grand Slam winners are full of belief ahead of their Pool B fixtures against New Zealand, USA and Kazakhstan.
The campaign will represent the final matches in charge for coach Philip Doyle, who announced that he will step down from his position after the tournament.
The Irish won three of their five Six Nations games this year, with France emerging as title winners.
Following an intense training programme ahead of the competition, winger Grace Davitt says she is feeling better than ever as the team attempt to better their seventh placed finish in 2010..............''

[Donny B.]

Team named

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
14. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond RFC/Exile)
12. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster)
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Heather O'Brien (Highfield RFC/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
19. Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's College/Leinster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile)
21. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
22. Jackie Shiels (Richmond RFC/Exile)

[Dave Cahill]

No Madigan?

[Amz]

Or Zebo!

Big gang heading to Porterhouse Central to watch the game tomorrow, so should be good atmosphere at least. Close to city centre for anyone hoping to nip out of work a bit early to watch it. More the merrier!

[meinster]

Task One done anyway, and done well. It was never going to be a walk in the park, and the USAians can play at pace. Onwards!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Thought we were the much better team, worrying that we kept letting the US back into it. Good win though, fingers crossed we keep improving.

[nelly the elephant]

Are the rules different for the women's game or has this ref not got a rashers?

[Donny B.]

Are the rules different for the women's game or has this ref not got a rashers?

They'll have to work very hard to get anything off that ref. Should have been a penalty try for three or four things and she just gives a penalty for an incorrect bind. I see Peter Bracken is there as Waterboy

[nelly the elephant]

Are the rules different for the women's game or has this ref not got a rashers?

They'll have to work very hard to get anything off that ref. Should have been a penalty try for three or four things and she just gives a penalty for an incorrect bind. I see Peter Bracken is there as Waterboy

The commentary team are losing it with the constant offside that's not being reffed...and we've been sucker punched there on the turnover(by a player who was blatantly offside)

[Amz]

Ref is awful.

[limecat]

Ref is awful.

Worse than awful.

[meinster]

They'll have to work very hard to get anything off that ref.

Turning out to be quite the understatement! Hope they can keep the discipline now.

[Ruckedtobits]

This is the most one-eyed refereeing performance Ireland have had for about 20 years. IRB should be appalled at how incompetent she is.

However Ireland are playing with intelligence and pace and so long as they can keep thinking they could win this. They certainly don't lack belief or ability.

Stars everywhere on this display and a pleasure to see an Irish team play so intelligently. Compliments to all the Coaching Staff

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Yeah this is a joke. The worst for me was when the touch judge missed the NZ winger putting her foot in touch.

I fear we don't have enough of a cutting edge to win. Lots of effort and pressure in that half without much reward.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Also our kicking game has generally been appalling. I can see why we're kicking though, hopefully it can improve because if it doesn't we're goosed.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Yes!!!! Outstanding!

[Donny B.]

Come on!! 2 minutes to hold on

[meinster]

Lovely stuff, good on ye ladies!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Phenomenal performance! That's an astonishing result!!