Four major talking points as England look to win a third World Cup

The stage is set for the England women’s team to lift the World Cup for the third time as they enter the tournament hosted by New Zealand as odds-on favourites. Here, the PA news agency examines a campaign that begins against Fiji in Auckland on Saturday.

Are they really that good?
Yes. Their grip on women’s rugby is best illustrated through a startling set of numbers – a 25-Test winning run that is a record in the international game, three successive Grand Slams and crushing back-to-back wins against world champions New Zealand a year ago.

The Black Ferns, France and Canada are the closest rivals, but England dominate the world rankings and their head coach Simon Middleton recently admitted that anything over than victory in the World Cup final would be a failure.

Why are they so far ahead?
Largely because of the changes made in the wake of a conclusive defeat by New Zealand in the 2017 final in Belfast. Two years later they became the first fully professional women’s team, with full-time contracts introduced by the Rugby Football Union who ushered in a high-performance programme that included more coaches, greater medical support and analysts.

Only now have teams such as Ireland, Wales and Scotland followed suit, but the gap is already vast. A large pool of talent, married with financial backing, has propelled them out in front. In another decisive change, the crossover between the sevens and 15s programmes has been restricted, meaning playing resources are spread less thinly.

Who are their star players?
Reigning world player of the year Zoe Aldcroft has been a standout for England’s pack, showing a high work rate centred around carrying and tackling. Prop Sarah Bern was devastating in the recent Six Nations where her pace and power in attack reached new heights.

Marlie Packer thrives at the breakdown and covers every blade of grass while alongside her in the back row is captain Sarah Hunter, who provides 135 caps worth of experience. And there is firepower behind the scrum where Emily Scarratt operates as a key component of the attack and wing Abby Dow, who has made a rapid recovery from a broken leg, excels as a try-scoring wing.

Who can stop them from capturing the nation’s imagination?
Only themselves – and viewing figures. It is a golden age for women’s rugby in England and in the coming weeks, Middleton’s side could add to the feel-good factor created by the success of football’s Lionesses in the Euros. But how many people will actually watch it?

Due to the time difference, the kick-off for the Fiji game on these shores is 4.45am and the scheduling of the knockout games is also a disaster for fans back home with the final starting at 6.30am. Such a dominant Red Roses team deserve bigger audiences than they are likely to get and it can only be hoped that their current supremacy extends to 2025 when they host the World Cup with the aim of selling out the final at Twickenham.