Women’s Rugby World Cup - Go n-éirí leat, mná na Éireann

The eighth Women’s Rugby World Cup opens in Dublin this evening, when England, the reigning world champions, play Spain, at UCD.

In one of six games scheduled for today, Ireland play Australia at the same venue, later this evening. It is an event that all of Ireland, north and south, should welcome and celebrate.

The popularity of women’s rugby has grown over the last decade, so this event is a singular honour for the host nations. Apart from the Ryder Cup and the Special Olympics, it is the most significant sports event to come to Ireland in recent years.