Ireland women set for Black Ferns rematch at 2025 RWC

RTÉ Sport Journalist

Ireland will have a rematch with defending champions New Zealand at next year's Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Scott Bemand’s side have been drawn to face the Black Ferns, Japan and Spain in Pool C of next year’s tournament.

It’s less than three weeks since Ireland pulled off the shock of the year when they defeated New Zealand 29-27 in their opening game of WXV, before going on to finish second overall after a win against USA and a defeat to Canada.

Ireland will also renew their rivalry with Spain at the tournament, which gets under way in England on 22 August.

Spain's win against Ireland in Parma in 2021 played a major part in Adam Griggs' side missing out on qualification for the 2022 tournament in New Zealand, but Ireland have since beaten the Spanish in the final of WXV3 last year.

Ireland are also familiar with their other pool opponents Japan, with whom they shared a two-Test series away from home in the summer of 2022.

Having started 2024 ranked 10th in the world, Ireland's third-place finish in the Six Nations, and their impressive WXV campaign saw them climb up to sixth in the world rankings, among the second seeds for this evening's draw.

Tournament favourites and hosts England have been drawn to face Australia, USA and Samoa, while Canada, Scotland, Wales and Fiji make up Pool B.

Pool D sees world number four France facing their Six Nations rivals Italy, as well as South Africa and Brazil.

The fixtures schedule for next summer's tournament is set to be announced on Tuesday 22 October.

Teams will play each of their pool opponents over three weekends with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals and the knockout phase.

Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa

Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji

Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain

Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

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