The memory of 2014 in France might still be fresh with us but women’s rugby has moved on apace and, a year earlier than normal, the top teams are beginning to gather in Ireland for the showpiece event in the women’s calender.
For various strategic reasons – mainly to now situate the tournament at the midway point the four yearly cycle of the men’s World Cup – the women have brought forward their eighth World Cup to 2017 but will revert to every four years thereafter with the next tournament schedule for 2021 and so on.
That way will also allow ...