The 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup is due to take place in Ireland for the very first time later this year. Twelve countries will compete in what is set to be fine spectacle of rugby. Here at Balls.ie, we've put together all the relevant information ahead of the milestone tournament for Irish rugby.
Games will take place in both Dublin and Belfast between August 9th and 26th when the tournament concludes in Kingspan Stadium. New Zealand and England have dominated in the past, with either of the two nations making every final since the inaugural tournament in 1991.
As things stands, it will be difficult to topple them this time around as they are ranked first and second respectively in the world rankings. However, Ireland (ranked 5th) will aim to use the raucous support to their advantage in their bid to upset the odds on home turf.
Who Are In The Groups In The 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup?
Pool A: Pool B: Pool C:
Canada England France
New Zealand United States Ireland
Wales Italy Australia
Hong Kong Spain Japan
What Are The Fixtures For The 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup?
UCD Bowl - Dublin Billings Park - Dublin
Queen's University - Belfast Kingspan Stadium - Belfast
Wednesday August 9th:
Pool B - England vs Spain - UCD Bowl (14:00)
Pool A - New Zealand vs Wales - Billings Park UCD (14:45)
Pool B - USA vs Italy - UCD Bowl (16:30)
Pool A - Canada vs Hong Kong - Billings Park (17:15)
Pool C - Ireland vs Australia - UCD Bowl (19:00)
Pool C - France vs Japan - Billings Park (19:45)
Sunday August 13th:
Pool A - New Zealand vs Hong Kong - Billings Park (12:00)
Pool B - England vs Italy - Billings Park (14:30)
Pool B - USA vs Spain - UCD Bowl (14:45)
Pool A - Canada vs Wales - Billings Park (17:00)
Pool C - Ireland vs Japan - UCD Bowl (17:15)
Pool C - France vs Australia - UCD Bowl (19:45)
Thursday August 17th:
Pool A - Canada vs New Zealand - Billings Park (12:00)
Pool B - England vs USA - Billings Park (14:30)
Pool B - Italy vs Spain - UCD Bowl (14:45)
Pool C - Australia vs Japan - Billings Park (17:00)
Pool A - Wales vs Hong Kong - UCD Bowl (17:15)
Pool C - France vs Ireland - UCD Bowl (19:45)
Tuesday August 22nd:
9th place SF - 10th seed vs 11th seed - Queen's University (12:00)
5th place SF - 5th seed vs 8th seed - Kingspan Stadium (14:00)
9th place SF - 9th seed vs 12th seed - Queen's University (14:30)
5th place SF - 6th seed vs 7th seed - Queen's University (17:00)
Semi-final - 2nd seed vs 3rd seed - Kingspan Stadium (17:00)
Semi-final - 1st seed vs 4th seed - Kingspan Stadium (19:45)
Saturday August 26th:
11th place play-off - Queen's University (12:00)
5th place play-off - Kingspan Stadium (14:00)
9th place play-off - Queen's University (14:30)
7th place play-off - Queen's University (17:00)
3rd place play-off - Kingspan Stadium (17:00)
Final - Kingspan Stadium (19:45)
Ticket Information For The 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup:
In terms of value for money, the Women's Rugby World Cup is a bargain. Prices range from 15-25 euro for the pool stage but one ticket gets you unlimited access to the stadium on that day. For example, if you were to buy an adult ticket for the block D, adjacent to the pitch in the UCD Bowl, then it would cost €25 euro per adult which allows the spectator to watch England vs Spain, USA vs Italy and Ireland vs Australia.
It's honestly hard to argue with that. Tickets are currently available through Ticketmaster.ie.
