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5th August 2017
09:39am BST
There's always a certain buzz about a country when it gets to host an international sporting event and the atmosphere can often contribute the the host nation going a long way on the pitch.
South Korea stunned the globe when their footballers reached the World Cup semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, South Africa won a historic Rugby World Cup on home soil in 1995 and England will never let us forget when Jack Charlton et al were crowned world champions in 1966.
For a small nation like Ireland, it's not often that we get to put on such glittering events which is one of the reasons why our hosting of 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup is so special.
Billings Park nearing completion! #WRWC2017 #BRINGIT pic.twitter.com/qYAWPA5L3X
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 3, 2017
From Wednesday, 12 international rugby sides will start to do battle on Irish soil in a bid to win the eighth edition of the tournament and Ireland fans will be hoping the bounce provided by being the host nation will help us deliver a successful campaign.
The nation is starting to sit up and take notice and the IRFU have taken to social media to share a video (below) of some famous Irish faces throwing their support behind our girls.
If that doesn't give the team an extra little boost, we don't know what will. We echo the sentiments of Keith Earls who expressed his envy at the girls in green getting to represent Ireland in a World Cup on home soil.
Let's hope they make sure no other country leaves Dublin Airport with the trophy in a few weeks time!
Ireland kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Australia at UCD, with the match being broadcast live on RTÉ at 7pm.
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