Ireland women’s rugby team will face New Zealand, USA and Kazakhstan in Pool B at the 2014 Rugby World Cup.
The New Zealand Black Ferns are the current holders, while the USA beat Ireland in a play-off at the World Cup in England in 2010.
Fiona Coghlan’s side, current Grand Slam champions, will also face Kazakhstan who lost all three group games four years ago.
The tournament will take place in France next August.
"The draw was always going to be tough no matter what Pool you end up in" - Fiona Coghlan
Coghlan said: "The Black Ferns are the only team ranked above us in the world that we haven't played so it's a very exciting prospect to test ourselves against the world champions.
"With just the top 12 teams in the world qualifying for the World Cup the draw was always going to be tough no matter what Pool you end up in.”
Hosts France have been drawn in Pool C with Australia, Wales and South Africa, in what is set to be a tough and physical pool, while 2010 runners-up England will play Canada, Spain and Samoa in Pool A.
The pool stages will take place at FFR Marcoussis, with the semi-finals and final being played at Stade Jean Bouin.
Pool A - England, Canada, Spain, Samoa
Pool B - New Zealand, USA, Ireland, Kazakhastan
Pool C - Australia, France, Wales, South Africa
