Irish kick-off time, TV channel, stream and odds for Women's World Cup clash

THE Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup odyssey this week.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of their clash with Australia:

When is the match on?

The match kicks-off this Thursday 20th July at 11 am Irish time at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

What Irish TV channel is showing the game live?

RTE are showing the match live with their coverage beginning at 10.30am on RTE 2.

This means you can also stream the match live via the RTE Player.

What are the latest betting odds?

Australia are favourites for this one at 1/4 with Ireland out at 10/1.

A draw is hovering around 9/2.

What has been said in the lead-up to the match?

Ireland ace Heather Payne is particularly concerned with the pace in the Australia team.

She said: "I was just focusing on them but also the full-backs, because the full-backs will probably be pushing high, and me and Katie will probably try to push on to them.

“They have speed, they have a lot of speed everywhere.

“I’m just focusing on the 11-plus players as a whole and just seeing what they are about.

“We are a team that doesn’t allow too much space in behind.

“That’s what we kind of build upon and then try to move forward.

“We just go out and play our game and see what they present to us.

“We are going to have to be sharp in everything we do.”

What is the latest team news?

Wednesday brought the welcome confirmation that Denise O'Sullivan IS fit to play after overcoming the bruised shin injury she sustained in Friday's full-blooded training game versus Colombia.

After days of increasingly encouraging updates, Vera Pauw confirmed that her star woman, along with Katie McCabe. will be good to go.

She told the waiting media: "We said from the start we are very open, we have nothing to hide. Denise is fit, she will play.

“Denise is fit and she will play unless (something happens) today.

"She trained yesterday and after a full training today she can play tomorrow.” 

A follow-up question was then issued to the Dutchwoman on whether she was happy to have the Cork playmaker back in time for opener.

Pauw naturally replied in the affirmative while Irish captain McCabe also chimed in with a smile, adding: 'So am I!'