Ireland's World Cup squad: The winners and losers

Vera Pauw admitted the day she told the players that they weren't going to be in her squad was “the worst day in my career“.

BIG CALLS: Vera Pauw speaking, at the UCD Bowl in Dublin, after announcing her squad. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

WINNERS:

Injuries, club form but especially match fitness formed the core selection criteria, tumbling numerous contenders into borderline territory.