Who's stopping Ireland? Meet the World Cup Pool C opponents

PRICELESS RUBY: Ruby Tui of New Zealand celebrates after scoring a try during the O'Reilly Cup International Test Match between New Zealand Black Ferns and Australia Wallaroos at Sky Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand. Pic: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

None of Ireland’s Pool C opponents over the next three weekends will be strangers and, if New Zealand catch the eye, then it’s worth noting that results against Japan and Spain have produced wins and losses in recent times.

Here we run the rule over the opposition that will look to test Scott Bemand’s fifth-ranked in the world side in Northampton and Brighton with the top two to qualify for the quarter-finals.