Ireland to host 2017 Women`s Rugby World Cup

London: Ireland will host the women`s rugby World Cup in 2017, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced on Wednesday.

The pool phase will take place at University College in Dublin, with the semi-finals and final being held at Queen`s University and Ulster`s Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

"Interest and participation in women`s rugby continues to grow and building on this momentum, we believe Ireland can deliver the best Women`s Rugby World Cup to date," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne on the organisation`s website.

The 2017 tournament will be the eighth edition of the women`s World Cup, which took place in France last year and was won by England.

Northern Ireland`s sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin said: "This is fantastic news and I applaud all those involved in the bid to bring the Women`s World Cup to Ireland.

"We have shown that we can host major sporting events in recent years. This is another opportunity to welcome competitors and supporters from across the globe to these shores."