Ireland Defeat Wales Ahead Of World Cup Campaign

The Ireland Women claimed a 27-7 victory over Wales yesterday at Malahide RFC in the final warm-up match ahead of their World Cup Campaign which starts on Friday, 1st August in Marcoussis, France

Munster forwards, hooker Gillian Bourke and No. 8 Heather O’Brien were named in the starting line-up while Niamh Kavanagh, Siobhán Fleming and Laura Guest featured as replacements in the second half.

To view match highlights click here

Trailing 7-0 in the opening stages, the first Ireland score came off the boot of out-half Nora Stapleton just before the half time mark.

Four tries followed for the Irish Women after the restart courtesy of Ashleigh Baxter, Captain Fiona Coughlan, Alison Miller and Alis Egan bringing the final score to 27-7 in favour of the hosts.

This victory, as well as their 36-20 away win to Spain two weeks ago will give the Ireland side confidence before they face the USA in their opening World Cup encounter.

To view the Women's Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2014 click here 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

To tweet your message of support for the Ireland Women you can use the hashtag #shouldertoshoulder ahead of their Pool B matches where they face USA, Kazakstan and defending champions New Zealand.

Follow all Women's Rugby World Cup updates on #WRWC2014

Ireland Women's Rugby World Cup Fixtures –

Pool Games –
Fri, 1st August, USA v Ireland, Marcoussis (kick-off 17.00)
Tue, 5th August, New Zealand v Ireland, Marcoussis (kick-off 18.00)
Sat 9th August, Ireland v Kazakhstan, Marcoussis (kick-off 13.00)

Ireland Women Lineup v Wales, 20th July 2014

Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile); Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt), Gill Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht); Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster).

Replacements used: Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster) for Shiels, Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster) for O'Brien, Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile) for Davitt (all 53 mins), Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile) for Tania Rosser (56), O'Brien for Fitzpatrick (60), Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster) for Bourke (63), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster) for Spence (65), Kerrie-Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile) for Egan (67), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's/Leinster) for Reilly (71).

Munster Women selected on the Ireland World Cup Squad (L-R) Siobhan Fleming, Fiona Hayes, Gill Bourke, Niamh Briggs, Heather O'Brien, Laura Guest and Niamh Kavanagh.