Irish Women To Play In Galway

…Trojans centre Lynne Cantwell in action for Ireland against Spain last month…

Philip Doyle’s Ireland side will play Canada at the Sportsground in Galway next month as both teams continue to tune up for the forthcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Canada have confirmed that their national Women’s team will tour Ireland and Wales next month with their opener against the Irish in Galway on Sunday, April 30 (kick-off 2.00pm).

Having finished their 6 Nations campaign with a disappointing 39-10 defeat to Grand Slam winners England last weekend, all of Ireland’s focus will now be on the World Cup, which is being hosted by the Canadian city of Edmonton from August 31 to September 17. The ‘Girls in Green’ will face France, the United States and South Africa in the initial pool stages.

Martin Gallagher, Rugby Canada director of rugby, said of next month’s tour: “Both the Wales and Ireland Unions have been tremendous in assiting us with these fixtures as we prepare for the World Cup in Edmonton.

“Jilly Holroyd (Wales) and Mark Andrews (Ireland team manager) and I have been working for several months to put this tour in place as both teams have limited opportunity to play Test matches outside of the Women’s 6 Nations and incoming autumn tours.

“Ireland have also expressed an interest in touring Canada in the summer of 2007.”