Ireland dealt favourable pool in World Cup

Ireland’s women have been dealt a reasonably favourable pool in the women’s World Cup next July with their date with India looking to be the crucial one if they are to make the knock-out phases.

They have also been drawn against Olympic champions England and the highly rated USA but if Graham Shaw’s side can get one over the Indians, they will likely take up one of the three tickets to the next round from the four-team pool.

Crucially, Ireland beat India last summer at the World League Semi-Finals to earn their ticket to London 2018 and have a strong record against them despite being ranked four places lower on the world list.