Belfast calls as school’s out for World Cup

Today, the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup folds its tents and moves up the M1 from the UCD campus on Dublin’s southside to Belfast.

For the 336 players from the dozen nations, their coaches and various other support staff, there will likely be a collective air of relief at the prospect of new surroundings.

Nothing against UCD, mind, but the guts of two weeks spent living in a university dorm with little or nothing to distract you from the everyday duties of training, eating and sleeping must get to a guy or gal at times.