Ireland's opponents in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup has been confirmed.
Despite the draw taking place in Belfast over a month ago, one of Ireland's Pool C rivals remained unknown. Asia/Oceania 1 was finalised on Saturday with Japan taking the final slot in the pool alongside Ireland, France and Australia.
Japan head to Women's Rugby World Cup as Asia's top seeds #WRWC2017 https://t.co/G0i0KDsoIC pic.twitter.com/puqwX2odZO
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) December 17, 2016
Japan defeated Hong Kong 20-8 to win the Asia/Oceania qualification tournament in Hong Kong on Saturday morning. Both teams had already secured qualification courtesy of earlier victories over Fiji in the three-team tournament, but the winners of the match were to advance to Pool C. Hong Kong will play in Pool A against Canada, New Zealand and Wales.
Japan's entry will be the first time the team has qualified in more than 20 years, having participated in the first two events in 1991 and 1994.
The fixture schedule has not yet been finalised, but the pool matches are set to take place in Dublin. The World Cup final will take place in Belfast on August 26th.
