Ireland back row Aoife Wafer is set to make her return from a knee injury in Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.
Wafer is yet to feature in the tournament after having knee surgery during the summer and was not risked for last weekend’s heavy Pool C defeat by holders New Zealand.
The 22-year-old – who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the World Cup – has emerged as an Irish rugby star over the past couple of years and was named this year’s Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament.
Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson confirmed on Wednesday that Wafer had been training with the squad and would be available for selection.
“Aoife has been back in training with the squad, got some good training sessions under her belt. She’s been looking really good,” said Steenson.
“It’s been a long road for her but all being well she’s available for selection this week. We’re very pleased with where she’s at.”
The Ireland coach added that co-captain Edel McMahon, Stacey Flood, Ellena Perry and Fiona Tuite were expected to return to training on Thursday with a view to being available for this weekend’s last-eight tie.
Full-back Flood and McMahon were forced off during the New Zealand loss, while prop Perry was ruled out on the day of the Black Ferns game.
Back row Tuite missed the 40-0 defeat after picking up a knock in the win over Spain.
Steenson said that the coaching team were assessing their options for the encounter with the French in Exeter and the squad had moved on quickly from their comprehensive reverse on Sunday.
“We’ve got options right across the board so we’ll have a look at where we are at.
“We are disappointed with how it played out at the weekend. The couple of tries at the end maybe flattered the scoreline a little bit but for our girls they’ve put it to bed fairly quickly. They have to, because it’s knockout rugby this week.
“From our point of view they’ve taken things on board very quickly. We’ve started to put the plan together for what we need to do this week and the girls are buying into it.”
