Ireland Women Set For USA Challenge

The Ireland Women’s squad landed in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris yesterday morning ahead of their World Cup opener against USA on Friday, 1st August, kick-off 5pm (4pm Irish time).

Following their arrival at the team hotel, the squad took a tour around the FFR headquarters in Marcoussis where they play all three Pool ‘B’ matches against USA, title holders New Zealand and Kazakhstan.

Ireland are currently ranked 7th in the world and are vying for their first World Cup title since they entered the competition in 1995.

Their first opponents, USA, are ranked two places ahead in 5th, and in 1991 historically claimed the first ever World Cup title with a 19-6 victory over hosts England.

Both teams have met on five previous occasions with Ireland recording its only victory over the Americans at their last encounter during the 2010 World Cup.

Ireland’s pool games will broadcast live on TG4 as well as both semi-finals and final. Ireland's game against New Zealand will be televised live on Sky Sports.

To view Munster players Peter O'Mahony and Donncha O'Callaghan's message of support click here.

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

SCHEDULE OF LIVE MATCHES ON TG4:

MATCH DAY 1: Friday, August 1
Ireland v USA, Pool B, live from Marcoussis, Paris
TG4 coverage begins at 3.50pm, Kick-off 4pm

MATCH DAY 2: Tuesday, August 5
Ireland v New Zealand, Pool B, live from Marcoussis, Paris
TG4 coverage begins at 4.50pm, Kick-off 5pm

MATCH DAY 3: Saturday, August 9
Ireland v Kazakhstan, Pool B, live from Marcoussis, Paris
TG4 coverage begins at 11.50am, Kick-off 12pm

MATCH DAY 4: Wednesday, August 13
Live coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-finals
5pm – 2nd Seeds v 3rd Seeds (live from Stade Jean Bouin)
7.45pm – 1st Seeds v 4th Seeds (live from Stade Jean Bouin)

MATCH DAY 5: Sunday, August 17
Live coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup Final
5.45pm – Winners Match 23 v Winners Match 24 (live from Stade Jean Bouin)

Munster Captain Heather O'Brien makes a new friend on arrival at Ireland's team hotel in France.