Tough clashes with New Zealand and Canada – ranked second and third in the world respectively – await Wales in the next week or so, as does a meeting with Hong Kong.
But 10-cap flanker Butcher, still just 20, can’t wait for a chance to impress on the global stage.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to the tournament. I can’t emphasise how much the challenge means to me at this stage. I just want to get out to Ireland now.
“To play at a World Cup is what I’ve always dreamed of since I started playing rugby and to get the chance is just amazing.
“Training is going really well and it’s all coming together quite nicely now. The girls are working hard and we’re looking forward to making our mark in the tournament. A lot of people aren’t giving us much chance, but we believe we can do something special.”
Wales begin their tournament against four-time World Cup winners the Black Ferns on Wednesday, August 9. They then face Canada on August 13, followed by Hong Kong on August 17.
It’s a difficult task, but one Butchers is looking forward to. “It’s really exciting to get the chance to play against the second and third best teams in the world,” she said. “Obviously it’s a very tough draw and we know New Zealand and Canada are big girls.
“We have a huge amount of respect for them, but we’re looking at ourselves and focusing on what we can do right rather than looking too much at our opposition.
“We’ve played England a few times recently and we met them in a warm-up for this tournament. We can take confidence from the experiences we’ve had in those games and we need to take on New Zealand and Canada. We can’t let them dominate us.”
This will be Butchers’ first World Cup and her development has been swift. She made her international debut against Ireland in the 2016 Six Nations, which was the culmination of a long journey. Butchers takes up the story.
“I started playing rugby when I was six. I played with Llanelli Schoolboys and then Carmarthen Quins girls through the age groups before I got called into the Wales squad,” she said.
“It was a new experience for me and I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been very enjoyable so far. I’m sure the World Cup will be another level up again.”
Butchers faces competition for a back row spot from the likes of experienced pair Shona Powell-Hughes and Rachel Taylor. Both players will feature at their third World Cup and for Butchers, former captain Taylor is a particular inspiration.
“There is so much competition in the squad and everyone is pushing hard for a starting place,” she said. “It’s been tough in training, but that’s what you want before the start of a tournament.
“I hope I can get a spot in the back row, but it’s incredibly tough there too. With girls like Rachel it’s difficult, but she’s a huge source of inspiration to me.
“I definitely look up to her with the way she plays and manages herself. The way she helps lead the team is so impressive and I try and take some of the stuff I see in her game into mine.
“Hopefully that will help me at this World Cup.”
Wales Women’s Pool A fixtures:
New Zealand v Wales, Wednesday 9th August (14:45), Billings Park UCD
Canada v Wales, Sunday 13th August (17:00), Billings Park UCD
Wales v Hong Kong, Thursday 17th August (17:15), UCD Bowl.
Wales’ fixtures will be streamed live on the S4C Chwaraeon Facebook page. For more information on the tournament, click here.
