Sandy Park in Exeter looks in fine condition ahead of this quarter-final.

A reminder that France played two of their three pool stage games at this stadium, but the 'Green Wave' is expected to be out in force for Ireland.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland Rugby

Ireland back row Aoife Wafer will make her first appearance of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Sunday's quarter-final against France in Exeter.

Co-captain Edel McMahon, however, misses out through injury.

Wafer, 22, who will join English side Harlequins after the tournament, missed the pool stages as she recovered from knee surgery in July.

The 2025 Six Nations player of the tournament initially remained at home to continue her rehab when Ireland departed for England, joining up with the squad only after their opening win over Japan.

"She's a class player. We've all wanted to see her back on pitch. She's been desperate to get back out there and give some of herself to the cause that we're undertaking," said Ireland head coach Scott Bemand.

"She's worked incredibly hard behind the scenes and there's been an incredible amount of support for her in getting her back to this point.

"We're fully confident she's fit and ready. She's desperate to get on the pitch, now it's just time to let her go."

France: Bourgeois; Grisez; Menager, Vernier; Arbey; Queyroi, Boudron Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, Bernadou; M Feleu, Fall Raclot; Bethoumieu, Champon, Escudero.

Replacements: Bigot, Deshaye, Khalfaoui, Ikahehegi, Okemba, T Feleu, Chambon, Boulard.

Ireland: Flood; Parsons, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan; O'Brien, Reilly; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang, Campbell, Monaghan (capt), Tuite, Wafer, Hogan.

Replacements: Moloney MacDonald, Perry, McGrath, Corri-Fallon, Moore, Lane, Breen, McGann.

Image source, Getty Images

Sene Naoupu
Former Ireland centre on BBC Two

It is a day that will suit Ireland, it is a bit drizzly here and it will be wonderful for them to show up to the challenge against France, who are used to playing in World Cup quarter-finals.

France Rugby

France have reached the knockout stages by topping Pool D, with three wins from their three games.

They opened their World Cup campaign with a 24-0 victory over Italy in Exeter.

Les Bleues then recorded a crushing 84-5 win against Brazil at Sandy Park.

France rounded off the pool stage with another big win, this time a 57-10 triumph against South Africa.

Image source, Getty Images

Canada produced a dominant display to defeat Australia in Bristol, scoring five first-half tries to put the result of their quarter-final beyond doubt.

Alysha Corrigan scored two of their seven tries in the match as the team ranked second in the world booked their place in the last four.

Beaten by England in their only World Cup final appearance to date in 2014, Canada will have high hopes of matching - and perhaps surpassing - that achievement at the 2025 tournament.

South Africa were appearing in a Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final for the first time and went into their tie against six-time champions New Zealand as huge underdogs.

The Springbok Women put in an exceptional first-half performance in Exeter to go in level at the interval, before the Black Ferns took control in the second period.

They scored eight tries in all, including two apiece for Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Renee Holmes and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

There is perhaps no phrase that strikes more fear into an Irish rugby supporter than World Cup quarter-final.

The only senior Irish side to ever make the semi-finals of the global showpiece were the women's squad in 2014, a tournament that did not feature a last eight.

When Scott Bemand's side face France in Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon, it will be their first time at the quarter-final stage since 1994 when they were beaten 76-0 by the United States.

Throw in eight quarter-final losses from eight ties for the men's team and it is little wonder why these fixtures have come to be known as Irish Rugby's glass ceiling.

Rather than have history weigh heavily on their shoulders, Amee-Leigh Costigan says the side are energised by the "do-or-die" nature of the fixture.

"It's a World Cup quarter-final, it's knockout stages, everybody's going to be going hard at it," said the winger who also turned out for Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympics last year.

"I think probably the most exciting part is we're in this position to put our country in the best place.

"Obviously, it's all focused on putting out that performance and just being excited for it because there's not many chances that are do-or-die in this situation."

Image source, Inpho

There are a number of ways to follow Ireland's Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.

You can watch the game on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 12:15.

You can also listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 12:30.

It's a big one!

Ireland meet France in a titanic tussle in the quarter-final stage of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

'The Green Wave' as the large Irish support in England has been dubbed will now make their way to Sandy Park in Exeter to cheer on Scott Bemand's side.

Ireland will have their eyes on reaching the semi-final stage of the competition as they did in 2014, but to do so, they must overcome a France side they have not beaten since 2017.

You can watch the game on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, listen to it on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle and follow our live text commentary so you don't miss any of the action.

Enjoy!

Image source, Inpho