Skysports.com gives you a rundown of the England squad gunning for World Cup glory...
England's 26-strong squad for the World Cup
England Women head in to the World Cup as the unquestionable favourites to emulate the success of their male counterparts from seven years ago.
Playing on their home soil, England are the reigning RBS Six Nations champions while they toppled New Zealand in November.
The side, skippered by Catherine Spencer, also reached the final four years ago - only to lose out the Black Fearns 25-17.
So
skysports.com gives you a rundown of the 26-strong squad hoping to succeed at the Twickenham Stoop on September 5...
Catherine Spencer (No.8, captain)
The England skipper since 2007, Spencer has followed her brothers and father in playing the game. Her focus is fully on leading the side to World Cup success having resigned from her job to concentrate on the tournament.
Maggie Alphonsi (flanker)
The Saracens flanker was named as the IRB Women's Rugby Player of the Year in 2006 and continues to impress for England, scoring 14 tries in 44 internationals.
Charlotte Barras (wing)
A former county hockey player and athlete, the 28-year-old Saracens wing has scored 157 points in 43 Tests. Barras, a teacher, has crossed for 29 tries.
Sarah Beale (No.8)
The Lichfield No.8 has a superb scoring record for an international forward, with eight tries in 18 Tests. The schoolteacher has an impressive sporting CV, including previously holding the State of Virginia title for the 400m after running in the US Nationals.
Rachel Burford (centre)
The former England Sevens captain started her career in Kent with Medway before going on to play for Richmond. The 23-year-old has been capped 22 times.
Rochelle Clark (prop)
The 29-year-old from Team Northumbria is on the verge of winning her 50th cap during the tournament. A personal trainer by trade, Clark has been the cornerstone of the England pack and has also weighed in with 11 tries.
Emma Croker (hooker)
A late starter to rugby, Croker has quickly made an impact, winning 16 caps. The Richmond hooker, though, is a talented all-rounder and is hoping to take part in the 2012 Olympics as the reigning English weightlifting champion.
Roz Crowley (prop)
Crowley combines playing with reading maths at Loughborough University. The 23-year-old plays alongside her elder sister Katie in the front-row at Lichfield.
Becky Essex (lock/flanker)
The England players' player of the year and Richmond's player of the season has terrific pace for a forward having begun her rugby career on the wing.
Heather Fisher (flanker)
A versatile sportswoman, Fisher has previously represented Great Britain in the bobsleigh. On the rugby pitch, the Worcester flanker has won 11 caps, while she has impressed on the sevens circuit.
Amy Garnett (hooker)
The 34-year-old police officer is the elder statesman of the England, and has won 86 caps during a distinguished career. Garnett is now hoping to add a World Cup winners' medal to her collection after having secured the Six Nations with England as well as the Premiership, National Cup and Sevens with Saracens.
Sophie Hemming (prop)
The experienced Bristol front-rower has been capped 31 times by England and was Catherine Spencer's vice-captain during the RBS Six Nations success.
Sarah Hunter (flanker)
Having initially begun playing rugby league, Hunter took up union at 14 and hasn't looked back. The RFU community coach now plays for Lichfield and has been capped 18 times.
La Toya Mason (scrum-half)
The New Zealand-born half-back qualifies for the England squad through her grandparents. Mason, who plays for Wasps, has been capped five times - making her debut against the Black Fearns.
Joanna McGilchrist (lock)
A 26-year-old physiotherapist, McGilchrist is part of the Wasps pack. She has score four tries during her 35-cap international career.
Katy McLean (fly-half)
The Darlington MPS is the kicking queen of the England team, landing 66 conversions and 10 penalties in 33 appearances. McLean also has a try and a drop goal to her name.
Katherine Merchant (wing)
There is no disputing Merchant's scoring prowess, with 24 tries in just 26 appearances. One of the quickest players on the international circuit, she has spent the past 10 years at Worcester.
Amber Penrith (wing)
The 30-year-old is facing a big few weeks, with Penrith set to get married six days after the World Cup final. Currently in her second spell with Worcester, Penrith has previously played for Cardiff Quins.
Fiona Pocock (wing/full-back)
The 21-year-old is another threat on the flank, having crossed 14 times in 18 Tests. Pocock, who plays for Richmond, has previously played at scrum-half, while she is equally at home at full-back.
Claire Purdy (prop/hooker)
The 30-year-old adds versatility to the England pack as she is capable of playing across the front-row. Purdy, an underwriter, plays for Wasps.
Alice Richardson (fly-half/centre)
Richardson is another member of the squad with many sporting strings on her bow. Having been ranked by the LTA and been a county swimmer, the Richmond back has really excelled at rugby, leading England at the Sevens World Cup.
Emily Scarratt (centre/full-back)
A versatile member of the squad who can play across the backline, Scarratt has settled on life in the centres or at full-back. The Lichfield ace has been capped 18 times and scored 86 points.
Michaela Staniford (centre/wing)
Initially overlooked for the squad, Staniford was called in after Claire Allen suffered a training ground injury. A member of the 2006 World Cup side, the 23-year-old Wasps back has scored 16 tries in 38 Tests.
Tamara Taylor (lock)
The former England players' player of the year combines playing for Darlington MPS with working as a RFU community coach for the Northumberland region. Taylor also made her make in the 13-a-side code after playing for Great Britain Students.
Amy Turner (scrum-half)
The police office has worked tirelessly behind England's pack in recent seasons, picking up 46 caps and 12 tries. Turner has previously turned out for Rosslyn Park and Wasps before moving to Richmond, where she is now skipper.
Danielle Waterman (full-back)
The 25-year-old has an impressive pedigree in the game after her father Jim made more than 400 appearances for Bath. Waterman has scored an impressive 24 tries in 35 appearances.
