Ireland face France test before jetting off to World Cup

Vera Pauw has already signalled an intention to field her strongest side from the off and hopefully in front of a full Tallaght Stadium.

READY, SET, GO: Megan Connolly and Amber Barrett, during a Republic of Ireland women training session at Tallaght Stadium. Pic by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland aren’t the only side to have had their issues in the run-up to the World Cup. Spain, Canada, South Africa, England and Jamaica have all had unpleasant matters of various stripes to contend with. France too, but their problems look to be past tense.

Head coach Hervé Renard and captain Wendie Renard (no relation) pitched up to meet the press yesterday in Tallaght Stadium, not so long after their Irish counterparts had endured a horribly tense half-hour or so in the very same seats.