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The Women's Rugby World Cup is kicking off this weekend here is all you need to know
WHERE
The Rugby World Cup is being held across eight different cities and stadiums in England, kicking off this Friday. Matches will be played in Sunderland, Brighton, Bristol,
Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton and York.
WHEN
The tournament will get underway on Friday night when England take on 1991 winners USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Pool matches will be played across the next three weekends. The quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of September 13, the semi-finals on September 19-20th and the third-place play-off and final at Allianz Stadium in London on September 27.
WHO
There are 16 countries in this year's World Cup, split into four groups of four. Alongside hosts England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have all made it through to the group stages, meaning all four home nations are going to be represented. However, only England, the USA and New Zealand have ever gone on to win the whole thing.
The reigning champions are currently New Zealand, who beat England in the final of the 2022 World Cup.
However, the Red Roses haven't lost a game since - a whopping 58 match winning streak.
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POOLS
Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain.
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil.
IRELAND'S PROSPECTS
Progress isn't always linear. It's only two years since Ireland were winless in the Six Nations and holding the wooden spoon. Within 18 months they had beaten New Zealand's world champions in the elite WXV1 tournament but the team hasn't hit those heights since.
The Six Nations just gone showed signs of encouragement but too many individual errors continue to hamper, the defence needs to tighten up and they still don't get the return you might expect from a team with real attacking threat out wide.
This is still a youthful squad, one with an average cap count of 19, and while the return from long-term injuries of Sam Monaghan, Edel McMahon, Beibhinn Parsons and Eimear Corri-Fallon are welcome, big names miss out.
Dorothy Wall and Erin King are massive losses and they need Aoife Wafer fit again sooner rather than later. Japan and Spain should be within their compass, but the Black Ferns are stronger than in 2024 and defeat there will likely be followed by a quarter-final exit to France.
KEY PLAYERS:
Dannah O'Brien: Still only 21, the Tullow woman has started 22 of Ireland's 25 games since her debut in Japan in 2018 and she is simply irreplaceable in this operation. Her booming left boot, from play and off the tee, is a priceless asset in the women's game.
Brittany Hogan: Others in the pack have greater name recognition, but the No.8 is a brilliant and consistent performer who was singled out recently by injured teammate Dorothy Wall as the one to watch in this squad. All the more important with the absences of Wall and others.
Niamh O'Dowd: Once a flanker struggling for game time in the AIL, O'Dowd is now the starting loosehead. Small in stature, she gives up huge weight to most opponents and she is still learning the trade. Her setpiece experience will dictate so much but she is rapid around the park too.
OPENING WEEKEND
Friday Aug 22: Pool A: England v USA, Stadium of Light , 7.30
Sat Aug 23rd: Pool A: Australia v Samoa, Salford Community Stadium, 12pm; Pool B: Scotland v Wales, Salford Community Stadium, 2.45; Pool B: Canada v Fiji, York Community Stadium, 5.30; Pool D: France v Italy, Sandy Park, 8.15,
Sun Aug 24: Pool C: Ireland v Japan, Franklin's Gardens, 12pm; Pool D: South Africa v Brazil, Franklin's Gardens, 2.45; Pool C: New Zealand v Spain, York Community Stadium, 5.30.
IRELAND'S OTHER GAMES
Sunday Aug 31: Pool C, Ireland v Spain, Franklin's Gardens, 12pm.
Sunday Sept 7: Pool C, New Zealand v Ireland, Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, 2.45.
Analysis: Brendan O'Brien
