Skip to content

England fly out to Paris ahead of 2014 IRB Women's Rugby World Cup

Image: Katy McLean: Ready to lead England into the World Cup

The England women's rugby team have flown out to Paris as the countdown begins to their IRB Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Samoa at Marcoussis on Friday.

England will be hoping it will be a case of fourth time lucky having endured the agony of defeat against New Zealand in the past three finals of the competition.

If they are to reach the final, they will have to overcome Samoa as well as fellow Pool A rivals Spain and Canada in a run of matches that will see them play five games in 17 days.

But Gary Street’s side will have to work out a formula to defeat the New Zealanders who also beat them in three Tests on home soil last year.

England have a mixture of experience and youth in their ranks for the tournament which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Five players – Rachel Burford, Margaret Alphonsi, Tamara Taylor, Danielle Waterman and Rochelle Clark – are all playing in their third World Cup.

Clark is the most capped player in the squad with 91 caps although the side will be captained by Darlington fly half Katy McLean.

A documentary by Mark Craig capturing the highs and lows England's 2010 World Cup campaign and the preceding Six Nations will be shown by Sky Sports in the build up to the tournament.

English Roses premieres on Monday at 7pm on Sky Sports 2.  It will be shown again on the eve of the World Cup on Thursday at 6pm on Sky Sports 2, and then at selected times throughout the tournament.  It will also be available On Demand.

Around Sky