Ireland has been chosen as the host of the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017.
The IRFU announced its bid to host the tournament two months ago across both Dublin and Belfast, and received the good news this afternoon that their bid had been successful.
The World Cup pool stages will take place in UCD, with the semi-finals and finals moving north to Belfast- the final being held at Ulster's Kingspan Stadium.
Chairman of World Rugby, Bernard Lapasset, congratulated Ireland on being named host of the tournament, which will kick off in August 2017:
The awarding of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 to Ireland is great news for teams and fans as the sport continues to reach out and inspire new participants in our great game.
I am sure that Dublin and Belfast will prove to be popular destinations.
After two remarkable Six Nations championship triumphs in three seasons, Ireland will aim to go one better than their semi-final defeat to England in Paris last year, as the tournament takes place on home soil for the first time.
