World Cup winner Rachel Burford will take part in a question and answer session on women's rugby at ConfEx 2016 ©World Rugby

Rugby World Cup winner Rachael Burford of England and former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan will speak about the growth of the women’s game during the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition next month, it has been announced.

The two players will take part in a question and answer session with World Rugby's general manager for Women’s Rugby Katie Sadlier on the opening day of the event, due to be held on November 14 and 15 at the Hilton London Metropole.

Burford was part of the England team which won the World Cup in 2014, and Coghlan led Ireland to their first Women's Six Nations title in 2013.

The pair will discuss the rapid development of women’s rugby and will reflect on rugby sevens' Olympic debut at Rio 2016. 

Among the other topics on the agenda is the 2017 Women’s World Cup, due to take place in Coghlan’s native Ireland.

"Women’s rugby is one of our major growth areas with two million women and girls playing the game worldwide," World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said.

"Aided by increased investment and driven by our strategic women’s rugby plan, which offers a clear vision for growth, it is also one of the fastest-growing team sports in the world.

"World Rugby continues to work hard to ensure the foundations are in place for the ongoing development of the women’s game, both on and off the field, and I look forward to the insight our speakers Rachael Burford and Fiona Coghlan will offer on this subject at Rugby ConfEx 2016."

The two speakers will also reflect on the women's tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympics, won by Australia ©World Rugby
The two speakers will also reflect on the women's tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympics, won by Australia ©World Rugby

The question and answer event with Burford and Coghlan is the latest item to be confirmed on the programme at this year’s ConfEx.

A panel of experts will debate how to safeguard good governance in sport in a session entitled "Protecting Sport From Corruption".

"Women’s rugby has come on in great leaps and bounds in recent years and I am thrilled to be part of its exceptional growth,”"Burford said.

"Having a strong women’s game is not only vital to the growth of rugby as a whole but it also contributes to the global agenda of increasing physical activity among women and girls, which in turn helps to boost fitness levels and self-confidence and inspire social change.

"The level of competition in the women’s game is also at an all-time high.

"The interest generated by the Olympic Games continues to draw in new players and fans around the world and I am looking forward to joining Fiona Coghlan to celebrate its success."