Ireland To Host 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup, Final To Be Held At Ravenhill

Ireland has been named as the host venue for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup, according to the IRISH TIMES. The competition's group stages will be held at University College Dublin before the tournament moves north to Belfast's Queen's University and Ulster's "recently redeveloped Ravenhill ground, where the final will be held." The tournament, which usually runs on a four-year cycle, has been brought forward a year to '17 to "avoid a clash with the Women's World Cup Sevens series." Ireland women's rugby is "riding the crest of a wave following Six Nations success" in '13 and '15, and Irish Rugby Football Union CEO Philip Browne is "hopeful hosting the 2017 World Cup will help the sport flourish further." He said, "Interest and participation in women's rugby continues to grow and building on this momentum we believe Ireland can deliver the best Women's Rugby World Cup to date" (IRISH TIMES, 5/13).