In Pics: Ireland Women Training At UCD
Sunday was a busy day for the Ireland Women’s squad with training at UCD and a trip to the Mansion House for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Welcoming Ceremony, while head coach Tom Tierney and captain Claire Molloy also had media duties at the tournament launch press conference and the captains’ photocall.
Click here to view photos of the Ireland Women training at their Belfield base as the countdown continues to Wednesday’s opening Pool C match against Australia (kick-off 7pm).
Speaking at the tournament launch press conference, Ireland head coach Tom Tierney told Irish Rugby TV: “Things are going well. We got into UCD yesterday afternoon (Saturday) and there’s great excitement amongst the squad. It’s just great to have it up and running now because it’s been a long time waiting over the course of the summer. Finally it’s here and we can’t wait.
“We’re expecting a huge physical challenge from Australia (in Wednesday’s opening round). They have a very big, physical and confrontational forward pack and they’ve got a number of Sevens players coming back in who won the Olympic gold medals.
“So we’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a very tough first game. It’s something that we’re relishing, in front of a full crowd in UCD with a lot of expectation. But we’re in a very good place as a squad, we’re very cohesive at the moment. We’re working as one with a common goal that we’re going to give it as good a shot as possible – safe in the knowledge that we’ve prepared as best we can – and we’re just really looking forward to starting on Wednesday.”
For more on the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, visit the tournament website – www.rwcwomens.com. Buy your match tickets for #WRWC2017 now on www.ticketmaster.co.uk/wrwc2017 and www.ticketmaster.ie/wrwc2017.