Ireland's Aoife Wafer Set for Women's Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final Return vs France

Aoife Wafer, Ireland's back-row star and last season's Six Nations player of the tournament, is set to make her first appearance of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in the quarter-final against France. Wafer has been recovering from knee surgery and missed all pool stage matches but has returned to training with the squad, showing promising fitness levels according to Ireland's kicking coach Gareth Steenson. The team is hopeful Wafer will be available for selection at Sandy Park, which would provide a significant boost as Ireland aims for its first World Cup semi-final since 2014. Full-back Stacey Flood is also expected to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the heavy defeat to New Zealand, with the coaching staff managing her fitness for the crucial knockout game. Ireland faces a tough challenge against France, who are favorites, but the squad remains optimistic and is preparing intensively for the encounter. Meanwhile, other key players like co-captain Edel McMahon and Ellena Perry are also expected to return to training, strengthening Ireland's lineup for the quarter-final.