C'est parti!
The 12 teams participating in Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 have arrived in France and are all set for kick-off in Paris this Friday, August 1.
In the opulence of the City Hall in Paris, and with an earlier photocall in the shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower, #WRWC2014 was officially launched in the French capital on Tuesday.
New Zealand are in France to defend their title which they claimed after a thrilling final against England in 2010.
Team captain Fiao'o Faamausili said: "We’re all here for the same reason, to win the World Cup. There’s definitely pressure there but it’s how we deal with it. We've told the girls not to think about what’s happened in the past, it’s about what happens now. We are taking each match as it comes and just enjoying it."
England are hoping they will be lifting silverware at Stade Jean Bouin on August 17 and their captain Katy McLean thinks there is a great mood in the camp.
"You can’t help but look back to something like (Women's Rugby World Cup) 2010 which was massive for the women’s Game but obviously the result wasn't ideal for us. That was really tough but four years later you have to move on, you learn lessons, you play more Rugby and get better."
This edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup will be broadcast to more countries than ever before with more than 300 hours of live women's Rugby to be beamed to homes all around the globe. Speaking in Paris, International Rugby Board CEO Brett Gosper said the tournament will be a great boost for the Game.
"We know that women's Rugby is gaining popularity. It’s grown two or three times since the last World Cup four years ago. There is a raised interest and the visibility is huge.
"It also means that it finds its way into school curricula around the world which is very important because you find it in physical education classes, it gives it an acceptability and it means that it’s being sampled by students who wouldn't usually sample it. We're really looking forward to this event."
Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 runs from August 1 - 17 in Paris. The pool stages will be played at Marcoussis with Stade Jean Bouin hosting the semi-finals and final.
Fans travelling to the #WRWC2014 pool stages in Marcoussis are able to access free shuttles to the ground from nearby Massy train station.
Tickets for the pool stages in Marcoussis and the semi-finals and final in Stade Jean Bouin in central Paris are selling quickly. Prices start as low as €5..
Media accreditation for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 is now closed.
Further Information:
Eoin McHugh
IRB Tournament Communications Manager
+353 86 0212 196
email: eoin.mchugh@irb.com
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