Niamh Kavanagh Ruled Out

Munster and Ireland winger Niamh Kavanagh has been ruled out of the Women’s Rugby World Cup due to injury.

One of seven Munster representatives in the Ireland squad, Kavanagh was involved in Sunday's warm-up game against Wales at Malahide RFC and unfortunately sustained a hamstring injury ruling her out of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup in France.

With 15 Ireland caps and a Grand Slam title to her name Niamh will be a massive loss to the side and all at Munster Rugby wish her a speedy recovery.

The uncapped Vikki McGinn from Leinster has been confirmed as the replacement for the tour.

The squad depart for France next weekend with their first pool B game taking place on Friday August 1st against USA.

Ireland Coach Philip Doyle said, "The squad and management are bitterly disappointed for Niamh to suffer an injury before we head to France. We all wish her a speedy recovery and hope that she is back playing as soon as possible."

Ireland Women Rugby World Cup Squad
Forwards
Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster)
Kerrie Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exiles)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's College/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)

Backs
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond RFC/Exile)
Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exiles)
Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
Vikki McGinn (Blackrock/Leinster)
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 FFR Headquarters – Pitch 2
Tue, 5th August New Zealand v Ireland FFR Headquarters – Pitch 1
Sat 9th August Ireland v Kazakhstan FFR Headquarters – Pitch 2

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