Wales Next For Ireland Women

The Ireland Women travelled to Barcelona last Saturday securing a 36-20 win against their Spanish counterparts, in a warm up match ahead of their forthcoming World Cup campaign this August.

The Ireland squad of 26 was named last week which includes seven Munster players who are preparing for their opening World Cup fixture against USA on Friday, 1st August in Marcoussis, France.

Munster captain Heather O’Brien along with her Highfield colleague Laura Guest have been selected along with UL Bohemian players Fiona Hayes, Gillian Bourke, Niamh Briggs and Niamh Kavanagh.

Siobhán Fleming who was recently named Munster Women's Player of the Year 2014 from Tralee RFC has also been named.

The Ireland squad will face Wales in their second warm-up friendly in Malahide on Sunday, 20th July at 3pm.

Head Coach Philip Doyle announced yesterday he will step down from his position following the 2014 World Cup campaign.

Doyle was appointed head coach of the Ireland side in 2003 and served until 2006 taking in the FIRA Women's Championship and a World Cup.

He took over again in 2010 and guided the squad to increasing success in the Women's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The highlight of his career to date was leading the Women's team to a historic Grand Slam in 2013 but he hopes to sign off on a high in his final campaign with the girls in green.

Speaking about his decision to step down, Doyle said: "It was a very tough decision to make. I have worked with this group of women for a long time and it is hard to step away from that.

"We have had hard times and also some great success but this feels like the natural time to make way for new blood.

"We have worked hard to build for this World Cup and there is plenty still to do between now and when I finish up. I'm really looking forward to this final challenge."

Ireland women are placed in the World Cup Pool B with USA, defending Champions New Zealand and Kazakhstan.

To view the World Cup fixtures 2014 click here

TG4 have confirmed they are to broadcast Ireland's pool games live as well as both semi-finals and finals. Ireland's game against New Zealand will be televised live on Sky Sports.

Tickets for the games can be purchased from http://www.ticketmaster.fr/en/liste/idlist/45/idtier/1493223

Ireland Women Rugby World Cup Squad – August 1st – 17th, France 2014

Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster)
Kerrie Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exiles)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Orla Fitzsimons (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
Heather O'Brien (Highfield RFC/Munster)
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond RFC/Exile)
Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exiles)
Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Jackie Shiels (Richmond RFC/Exile)

Ireland Women's Rugby World Cup Fixtures –

Pool Games –
Fri, 1st August, USA v Ireland
Tue, 5th August, New Zealand v Ireland
Sat 9th August, Ireland v Kazakhstan

Playoffs –
Wed, 13th August
Sun, 17th August