IRELAND WILL FACE England in the semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Wednesday after the seeding for the top four was confirmed this evening.

Philip Doyle’s side famously beat England on their way to the 2013 Grand Slam, but fell to a 17 – 10 defeat at Twickenham earlier this year.

Ireland booked their place in the semis with a 40 – 5 victory over Kazakhstan early today, but it was this evening’s last Pool fixture that finally settled the upcoming fixture list.

Hosts France kept up their 100% record with a 17 – 3 victory over Australia and moved to 14 points, enough to edge Ireland out of the number one seed slot and Australia out of the top four.

Next up, Les Bleus will face Canada who claimed a 13 – 13 draw against England to leave both sides on 12 points (with Canada edged into second place due to England’s superior points difference).

That result meant that New Zealand – reigning World Cup champions since 1998 – were dethroned before they even kicked off in their 34 – 3 win over the USA.

The southern hemisphere superpowers now have only placing matches to look forward to while Canada and Europe’s finest do battle for the big prize.

Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals (Wednesday August 13):

Ireland v England (17.oo Irish time)

France v Canada (19.45 Irish time)

Fleming’s lung-bursting try and more great pictures as Ireland Women win again

Analysis: Black Ferns broken by Ireland’s clever attacking at World Cup