Two games in, where does everyone stand? We bring you up to date on Ireland’s chances of a top four finish.

The 12 teams are split into three groups of four teams with the winner of each group and the highest placed runner up going through to the top four play offs.

Ireland can’t win their group after their defeat by England but they do stand a realistic chance of going through as the highest placed runner up if they have a bonus point win over Kazakhstan  – however their fate depends on results in the other groups.

First up Ireland need Canada to beat France which on current form would seem likely – even though the French will be fighting for survival, and have yet to come good, I still think the impressive Canadians will have too much composure for the temperamental French.

Assuming Canada win then it’s a two horse race between Australia and Ireland as to who gets that forth spot and at the minute things couldn’t be closer with the Aussies marginally ahead having scored four more points than Ireland.

However Australia’s opponents, South Africa, have an outside chance of qualifying and should give the Aussies more problems than Ireland’s opponents Kazakhstan who should be pretty demoralised after two resounding defeats already in their group. The other bonus is that the Aussie game kicks off 15 minutes before the Irish one so Ireland will know exactly what they have to do to go through which could prove crucial if having to decide to go for a last minute try or penalty.

So at the minute the odds are slightly in Ireland’s favour but it all comes down to the Canadians doing us a favour earlier in the day.

I’m sure the Irish girls would relish a rematch with England in the Semi Finals.

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Saturdays Schedule

12:00	Scotland	v	Sweden
14:00	New Zealand	v	Wales
14:15	France	v	Canada
16:15	Australia	v	South Africa
16:30	Ireland	v	Kazakhstan
18:30	England	v	USA

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Current Standings

Pool A
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	PTS
New Zealand	2	2	0	0	87	8	15	1	2	10
Australia	2	1	0	1	31	44	5	8	1	5
South Africa	2	1	0	1	18	65	3	10	0	4
Wales	2	0	0	2	22	41	3	7	1	1
Pool B
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	PTS
England	2	2	0	0	109	0	16	0	2	10
USA	2	1	0	1	63	22	9	4	1	5
Ireland	2	1	0	1	22	39	4	6	1	5
Kazakhstan	2	0	0	2	0	133	0	19	0	0
Pool C
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	PTS
Canada	2	2	0	0	77	20	11	3	2	10
France	2	2	0	0	32	16	6	1	0	8
Sweden	2	0	0	2	19	55	1	9	1	1
Scotland	2	0	0	2	17	54	3	8	0	0

Lauren Day’s take on qualification.

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This is where things get really interesting, Ireland realistically have a shot in finishing in the top four. Giving them a chance to fight it all out in the semi-finals.

At the min its looking like England will finish ranking first (if they continue notching up the points) with New Zealand second with Canada third.  That fourth spot could go to Ireland, Australia, France and USA.

The fate of the Irish depends on how well we perform against Kazakhstan, we have to win, and win well!

The result of the Canada v France is also highly important. If France do come out as the victors of that game then our semi final hopes are gone.

All I can say is I can’t wait for Saturday- game on!!!