Aoife Wafer: Ireland back row ‘in contention’ to face New Zealand

Ireland stunned reigning world champions New Zealand in WXV1 last September.

Both teams have qualified for the quarter-finals and whoever comes out on top in Brighton on Sunday will progress to the last eight as Pool winners.

Fogarty said Wafer, who was player of the tournament in this year’s Six Nations, has “continued on her progression” as she returns from injury.

Wafer joined up with the Irish squad after the opening win over Japan after continuing her rehab in Dublin.

He said the 22-year-old had returned to full contact “in a controlled area” and she will return to the “team environment”

“That will be the next step. We’re hopeful of everything going well for her and she’ll be in contention for the weekend,” added Fogarty.

“She’s bursting to go, if the game was today she’d want to play it. There’s a bit of controlling her and holding her back a bit.

“She’ll be ready and we have no doubts that when she gets onto the field she’ll be bulling to go.

“In her mind she’s ready to go, it’s exciting for her.”