ALTERATIONS TO THE qualifying process for the Women’s Rugby World Cup mean Ireland have automatically qualified for the 2017 tournament.

World Rugby [formerly the IRB] this afternoon announced the changes to the qualification programme, revealing that the top seven teams from this year’s competition would go straight into the 2017 World Cup.

That means Ireland, champions England, Canada, France, New Zealand, USA and Australia are all confirmed participants in a tournament which the IRFU is hoping will be hosted on Irish soil.

Ireland finished fourth at this year’s event in Paris, with the pool win over New Zealand standing out as a remarkable highlight of the sporting calendar.

Tom Tierney was last week appointed as the new head coach of the Irish squad, taking over from Philip Doyle, who retired following the World Cup. Marian Earls has come on board as strength and conditioning coach for the women’s set-up, while also performing the same role within Ireland’s new men’s sevens programme.

Futhermore, Australian Anthony Eddy has been installed as director of women’s rugby in Ireland, while also overseeing the sevens game.

With full-time appointments having been made, the IRFU will expect their women’s side to be even more competitive at the 2017 tournament.

Originally published at 14.35

‘People will write what they write’ – O’Connor defends Leinster’s season

‘You’ve got to move on’ – Pienaar looking past Champions Cup disappointment