So Pool A is...interesting for Wales. Just two of the top three sides in the world to contend with. No biggie.

First up, they've got four-time winners New Zealand, then they've got Canada - the finalists from three years ago - before facing newcomers Hong Kong.

Sport can be unpredictable, though.

The Black Ferns suffered a shock defeat against Ireland in the last World Cup - bringing to an end their 20-match unbeaten run.

Wales finished eighth last time around. Their mission, if they choose to accept it, is to topple two of the favourites in Dublin.

Image source, Getty Images

Lock Maria Ribera, who also went off for a head injury assessment at the same time as Barbara Pla, has been cleared to return to the field for Spain.

Just in time for a Spanish scrum.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Dublin

Ian Tempest will be the referee when Wales face New Zealand, so here's an image of the calm before the storm in Dublin. Ahem.

Image source, BBC Sport

A Spain line-out in England territory is overcooked and the defending champions reap the rewards and push forward.

But Spain compose themselves and regain possession. The backs show their pace - especially Iera Echebarria in the number 11 shirt.

Unfortunately, their good build-up play ends with Patricia Garcia's miscued kick.

Spain are penalised and England earn a scrum five metres out.

Barbara Pla, the Spanish full-back, has been forced off for a head injury assessment. Vanesa Rial comes on in her place.

England continue to pile on the pressure and are camped out in the Spanish 22.

They work their way across the width of the pitch, trying to make the breakthrough, but the world's number eight ranked side remain composed for now.

Harriet Millar-Mills, England's back-rower, is inches away from the try line as she comes under bombardment from red shirts.

Millar-Mills tries to offload from the back of her hand but she loses possession.

England earn a scrum in the midfield and a brilliant darting run from Lydia Thompson sees her get into another dangerous position.

Can they cross again?

Spain are holding their ground for now.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Dublin

Preparing for and playing in a major tournament is difficult enough for professional athletes - but doing so with a full-time job calls for some major sacrifices.

Nobody in the Wales squad has a professional contract, so finding the time to train and play their way into World Cup contention can be tough.

You can read more here about the lengths to which some of their players have had to go to pull on the red jersey in Ireland.

The scoreline doesn't lie. Spain are struggling here.

They gain some ground as they head towards the England 22 but some loose hands see the Red Roses regain possession.

Katy Mclean kicks to touch, instead of finding Lydia Thompson with her grubber, so Spain earn a line-out

Nope, the refs say it went forward off Kay Wilson.

Another charge forward from England.

Harriet Millar-Mills feeds to Kay Wilson but just as she scrambles to the try line, it looks like she's been held up by Amaia Erbina.

Did Wilson stretch over and touch down? We've gone to the TMO.

The Women's Rugby World Cup is...

GO!

England's Katy Mclean kicks us off.

England team: Danielle Waterman; Lydia Thompson, Megan Jones, Rachael Burford, Kay Wilson; Katy Mclean, Leanne Riley; Vickii Cornborough, Heather Kerr, Sarah Bern, Abbie Scott, Zoe Aldcroft, Harriet Millar-Mills, Izzy Noel-Smith, Sarah Hunter (capt).Replacements: Amy Cokayne, Rochelle Clark, Justine Lucas, Poppy Cleall, Alex Matthews , La Toya Mason, Amber Reed, Emily Scarratt.Spain team: Barbara Pla; Maria Casado, Amaia Erbina, Marina Bravo, Iera Echebarria; Patricia Garcia, Anne Fernandez; Saioa Jaurena, Aroa Gonzalez (capt), Jeanina Vinueza , Berta Garcia, Maria Ribera, Diana Gasso, Paula Medin, Elena Redondo.Replacements: Isabel Rico, Isabel Macias, Rocio Garcia, Monico Castelo, Angela del Pan , Maria Ahis, Vanesa Rial, Carlota Meliz.

Here they come!

Sarah Hunter and Aroa Gonzalez lead out England and Spain in Dublin.

Kick-off is moments away...

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Dublin

With the games played on university pitches and the media centre inside the students' union, there's a certain novelty about University College Dublin hosting the first round of matches of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

As it's the summer, it's supporters rather than students populating the venue - though I must admit working on a row of wooden desks brought back some chilling flashbacks of exams.

While England begin their title defence against Spain at 14:00, 45 minutes later it's the turn of Wales to take on four-time champions New Zealand, an assignment tougher than any I ever faced during my student days.

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