Ireland were drawn in Pool C of the Women's Rugby World Cup along with France, Australia and a team from Asia/Oceania, which Irish women's coach Tom Tierney described in Belfast as "arguably the hardest group" of the three.
The Irish team must finish in the top position or the best second place in the pool in order to go through to the knockout phase of the tournament which begins in August.
The top three teams from each pool and the best runner-up go into the semifinal phase leaving little room for error for the host country.
It means a huge challenge for Ireland to stay ahead of France and the Australians, who are known to have focused more energy into the 15-woman version of the game.
“We have to play against two very established rugby nations in France and Australia.
“It’s a hard one but there’s no point in talking about that now. It’s just taking it on board,” added Irish coach Tierney.
“We will be confident we will be ready to perform in the tournament in nine months time. We will always be confident in our own ability.”
England, who won the last edition of the World Cup in 2014 and also won in 1994, face a relatively simple passage, with inaugural winners in 1991, USA, Italy and another either Scotland or Spain in their Pool B.
Canada go into a Pool with New Zealand and Wales with the fourth team from Asia/Oceania.
“Yeah, it certainly is going to be very tough,” said Irish back Nora Stapleton. “We play France every year but you know it is not as if we beat them every year. It is going to be very difficult to try and top it (pool).
“And Australia is going to be an interesting one because we know that although they may not have done too well in the last World Cup, I know their whole program is kind of taking off,” she added.
“But it’s easier to prepare when you know what team you are going to come up against.”
The eighth edition of the series has 12 teams taking part with two qualifiers yet to be decided from Hong Kong, Japan and Fiji. The pool stage of the competition beginning on August 9th takes place at UCD before moving to Belfast for the play-off rounds, which will then take place in Queens University and Kingspan Stadium.
Ireland face England, Canada and New Zealand in the first running of a November Series before next Year’s Six Nations Championship.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 Pools:
Pool A: Canada, New Zealand, Wales, Asia/Oceana 2 (Fiji, Hong Kong or Japan)
Pool B: England, USA, Italy, Europe 3 (Scotland/Spain)
Pool C: France, Ireland, Australia, Asia/Oceana 1(Fiji, Hong Kong or Japan)
