England's Danielle Waterman vies for the ball against Canada © IRB

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Features: 'The RWC is the catapult to push on women's rugby'

There will be a new name on the Women's Rugby World Cup as New Zealand are the high profile absentee in the final four of the competition.

In the last round of the pool stages in Marcoussis, England's draw with Canada saw both into the semi-finals where they will be joined by France and Ireland. New Zealand, who have triumphed in the past four World Cups, won their last game of the pools but they went into their game against the USA already knowing they were out of the competition.

A busy day's action started with Ireland's match against Kazakhstan and a 40-5 win was enough to see them through. Ireland were made to work for their bonus-point win and at one stage in the first-half there were and at one stage in the first-half there were just two points in it. Eventually Ireland's superior fitness paid dividends as they finished the match with six tries to their name.

Sharon Lynch finished the game with a brace of tries to her name while Tania Rosser scored an impressive individual effort, Siobhan Fleming also sprinted down the right wing for one of her own and Vikki McGinn scored with the last play of the match. Ireland were also awarded a second-half penalty try thanks to relentless pressure from their pack while Svetlana Karatygina scored a well-deserved try for Kazakhstan in the first-half.

Wednesday's fixtures

• Semi-final: Ireland v England 17:00 (BST) - Stade Jean Bouin
• Semi-final: France v Canada 19:45 (BST) - Stade Jean Bouin
• South Africa v Samoa 13:00 - Marcoussis
• New Zealand v Wales 14:45 - Stade Jean Bouin
• Spain v Kazakhstan 15:15 - Marcoussis
• Australia v USA 17:30 - Marcoussis

Ireland will now face England who ended their group stages with a 13-13 draw against Canada. For much of the game, it was the Canadian's tight-five that ruled proceedings while handling errors let down England. Canada outscored England two tries to one with Karen Paquin and Kayla Mack crossing in either half while Magali Harvey slotted a late penalty to draw the game level. England's points came thanks to a try from captain Sarah Hunter in the second-half and eight points from the boot of Emily Scarratt. England go through as Pool A winners while Canada will face hosts France.

France saw off Australia 17-3 in the final match of the day. The hosts scored a try in either half with a penalty try and five points from Sandrine Agricole helping them into a 10-3 lead at the break. Come the second 40, France stretched their lead in the 50th minute to what proved to be an unassailable 14 points with Agricole converting Gaelle Mignot's try.

Earlier, New Zealand, who saw Ireland qualify ahead of them in Pool B, finished their disappointing World Cup campaign with a 34-3 win over the USA. The Kiwis ran in six tries in total with Kelly Brazier, Claire Richardson, Huriana Manuel, Kendra Cocksedge, Renee Wickliffe and Justine Lavea scoring.

A hat-trick from Sioned Harries helped Wales to an impressive 35-3 win over South Africa. Heading into the match both sides knew they were out of the qualification reckoning but Wales impressed with Jenny Davies also grabbing a try alongside 12 points from Robyn Wilkins and a drop-goal from Elinor Snowsill.

Spain finished their campaign on a high with a comfortable 41-5 win over Samoa. Spain scored six tries in total with Berta Garcia, Angela del Pan, Barbara Pla all crossing alongside a double from Ana Maria Aignere and a penalty try. Samoa's effort came from Brenda Collins.

Sharon Lynch scores Ireland's opener against Kazakhstan © IRB

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