Ireland’s road to a World Cup semi-final

Ahead of this evening’s highly anticipated women’s rugby World Cup semi-finals, take a look at the epic journey so far.

With Ireland’s match against England kicking off at 5pm Irish time for a place in the World Cup final, Inpho Sports Photography have put together a montage of the team’s progress through the group stage of the tournament.

Ireland are fancied as slight favourites ahead of an England side who were beaten finalists in the World Cups in 2006 and 2010. They have come a long way from the first match of the tournament on August 1, when they did well to beat a resilient USA 23-17

Next up they faced the reason most commentators weren’t giving them a chance in the tournament, four-time World Champions New Zealand, who hadn’t lost in a World Cup match since 1991.

The Irish came away with a well-deserved 17-14 win and all of a sudden the rugby world, and the Irish public, were sitting up and taking notice.

Huge congrats to @IrishRugby women on an incredible victory #COYGIG

— Peter Stringer (@stringer9) August 5, 2014

The Irish team themselves were overjoyed too but didn’t allow themselves be distracted. They proved the strength-in-depth of the squad with a 40-5 win over Kazakhstan on Saturday, despite 10 changes to the starting line-up.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner veteran centre Grace Davitt, who started every game so far, spoke with the determination and self-belief that has gotten the squad this far.

“Leaving Ireland, people might have laughed when we went over (to France) saying we were going over to win the World Cup,” said Davitt, “but here we are in the semi-final.”

“We’re one match away from the final.”

And now they have persuaded people believe they can go all the way.

sending out best wishesfor today's SF to @irishrugby women's team,especially IRB player of the year nominee @niamhbriggs15 #WRWC2014 #COYGIG

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) August 13, 2014

When Rocky needs motivation he watches montages of @IrishRugby womens team train #WRWC2014 , good luck today ladies https://t.co/YMOIpJFugr

— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) August 13, 2014

Today is Step 4. The very best to the @IrishRugby Womens team, who play their semi final this evening. #shouldertoshoulder

— Munster Rugby SC (@MRSC16) August 13, 2014

Hat tip: Inpho Sports Photography