AS part of their build-up to August's World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, the Irish women's hockey team will take part in a five-nation tournanent in Canada, featuring the host nation, England, Japan and the USA, beginning at the end of the April.

Their matches against Canada, England and Japan make the tournament in Vancouver a virtual dress-rehearsal for their crucial 12 days in Africa, where they will also play those three countries, as well as India and South Africa, in Pool A of the qualifying event for the 1998 World Cup finals in Holland.

Two friendlies away to Italy, who played Ireland twice in Dublin at the beginning of the season, are also due to be confirmed soon.