Kavanagh Ruled Out Of Women’s World Cup

Winger Niamh Kavanagh has been ruled out of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup due to a hamstring injury she picked up during Ireland’s final warm-up game against Wales on Sunday.

Ireland Women’s head coach Philip Doyle said: “The squad and management are bitterly disappointed for Niamh (Kavanagh) to suffer an injury before we head to France. We all wish her a speedy recovery and that she is back playing as soon as possible.”

Leinster’s Vikki McGinn has been confirmed as her replacement for the tournament. Vikki is uncapped at international level.

Ireland open their campaign on Friday week (August 1) with a tough Pool B match against the USA whom they played twice at the 2010 tournament in England.

TG4 have confirmed they are to broadcast Ireland’s pool games live as well as both semi-finals and finals. Ireland’s clash New Zealand will also be televised live on Sky Sports 1.

Tickets for the World Cup games can be purchased here.

IRELAND WOMEN’S Squad (2014 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup, France, August 1-17):

Backs (13) –

Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile)
Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile)
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/Exile)

Forwards (13) –

Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
Kerrie-Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile)
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/Munster)
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

2014 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP:

POOL B FIXTURES –

Friday, August 1

IRELAND v USA, Marcoussis pitch 3, 5pm local time/4pm Irish time (live TG4) (Buy match tickets)

Tuesday, August 5

New Zealand v IRELAND, Marcoussis pitch 1, 6pm local time/5pm Irish time (live TG4/Sky Sports 1 HD) (Buy match tickets)

Saturday, August 9

IRELAND v Kazakhstan, Marcoussis pitch 3, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time (live TG4) (Buy match tickets)