Pauw stepping up World Cup preparations with China and Germany friendlies 

Vera Pauw's Ireland women's national team will also take on Germany in a behind-closed-doors friendly. 

PREP: Manager Vera Pauw and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland Women training session at FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The Ireland women's national team are continuing to step up preparations for this year's World Cup by arranging friendlies against China and Germany. 

Ireland will travel to Marbella for a 10-day camp that will culminate with a first-ever match against China PR on Wednesday, February 22. Vera Pauw's side defeated Morocco 4-0 at the same location last November.