Ireland 'quite confident' key forward Aoife Wafer will make Rugby World Cup

knee problems have put paid to Wafer's pre-season and she will not make the two warm-up games.

ON THE MEND: Jane Clohessy tackles Aoife Wafer, who is hoping to make the Rugby World Cup. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Ireland’s coaching staff remains “quite confident” that key forward Aoife Wafer will be fit in time to feature in their upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign.

The 22-year old was superb for her country in the Six Nations this year, and was named player of the tournament for her efforts, but knee problems have put paid to her pre-season and she will not make the two warm-up games.

Ireland play Scotland in Cork’s Virgin Media Park this Saturday and then Canada in Belfast seven days later. The question is if their dynamic back row is good to go at some point of a global tournament that starts later in the month.

“We're quite confident that she will play some part of the World Cup, which is really pleasing,” said scrum coach Denis Fogarty. At the moment she's tracking really well. It's just making sure it's right for her as a player, when she comes back into it.”

Wafer has already had a procedure and it is felt unlikely that she will see action in the earlier portion of the tournament. Ireland open on August 24th against Japan, play Spain a week later and then reigning champions New Zealand in completing their pool stage.

“She's got a procedure done, so she's definitely not ruled out of the World Cup yet,” said Fogarty to another question, “but we're taking it week by week in terms of when her return to play is, but she's not ruled out of the World Cup anyway.”

Head coach Scott Bemand is already working with two other key forwards in Dorothy Wall and Erin King. Ireland have improved immeasurably in the last 12 months but they can ill afford the loss of players of that calibre.

The squad for the World Cup will be named on Monday, August 11th, two days after they face the Canadians at Affidea Park.