Niamh Briggs ruled out of Rugby World Cup

Ireland will be without captain Niamh Briggs for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup which takes place in Ireland during August. The full-back missed the Six Nations with a hamstring injury but was hoping to feature at next month’s tournament. However, an Achilles injury picked up in preparation for the WC will prevent the UL Bohs star from appearing.

Niamh Briggs has been ruled out of the Women's Rugby World Cup with injury. Louise Galvin will replace her #WRWC2017 https://t.co/lPF5yCIvhI pic.twitter.com/Uc4mfwGsyJ

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 31, 2017

Ireland will now have to plan for their opening game against Australia on August 9 without Briggs who has 57 caps for her country and was a key member of the squad that finished 4th at the world cup three years ago. Irish coach Tom Tierney was unable to hide his dissappoint at the news as he spoke to the IRFU‘s website,

“Both the players and management are really disappointed for Niamh as everyone has seen the incredible work and effort she’s put in over the last number of months in an attempt to get herself right for this tournament.

For her to have recovered well from her hamstring injury and then suffer a new injury is really unfortunate for her, as everyone knows how much she was looking forward to leading the team in the World Cup.”

Louise Galvin has been called into the squad as replacement for Niamh Briggs. and a new Ireland Captain to lead the team during the Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign will be confirmed by the Ireland Women’s Management team in the coming days.

The former Kerry footballer was part of the all conquering UL Bohemians women’s treble winning side this season and also played for the Irish sevens side in Kazan as they secured qualification for next year’s Sevens World Cup.