Briggs Out Of World Cup

A crushing blow not only for Irish captain Niamh Briggs, but the entire Irish team, as an Achilles injury has ruled her out of a home world cup, just over a week to the tournament’s start.

The experienced full-back had successfully recovered from the hamstring injury that had ruled her out of the Six Nations but suffered an injury to her Achilles in training.

Briggs is one of the most experienced players in the Irish squad, and having overcome the hamstring injury that ruled her out of this year’s Six Nations, the training injury will be an absolute massive blow to the Waterford woman.

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Tom Tierney said;

“Both the players and management are really disappointed for Niamh as everyone has seen the incredible work and effort she’s put in over the last number of months in an attempt to get herself right for this tournament.

For her to have recovered well from her hamstring injury and then suffer a new injury is really unfortunate for her, as everyone knows how much she was looking forward to leading the team in the World Cup.”

Fellow Munster woman Louise Galvin has been called into the squad as replacement for Niamh, and has big boots to fill. Meanwhile a new Ireland Captain to lead the team during the Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign will be confirmed by the Ireland Women’s Management team in the coming days.