World Cup draw made

The tournament takes place from August 1-17, with matches played at FFR Marcoussis, and the semi-finals and final played at Stade Jean Bouin in the French capital.

Defending champions New Zealand will face USA, Ireland and Kazakhstan in their pool at the Women's Rugby World Cup. Canada and New Zealand play each other next summer in a warm-up test series before the tournament. Ireland and New Zealand have never played each other at 15s level.

Pool A has an air of the toughest pool about it though England, finalists in 2010, face a tough challenge with Canada pitted against them as well as a progressing Spanish team and an unknown Samoan side.

Pool C sees three teams who were pooled together in 2010 go head to head, with South Africa, Australia and Wales together again alongside hosts France.

Pool A: Samoa, Spain, Canada, England,

Pool B:Kazakhstan, Ireland, USA, New Zealand

Pool C: South Africa, Wales, France, Australia