𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

England are hoping to secure Women’s Rugby World Cup success on home soil as a dominant Red Roses side seek the ultimate prize that has eluded them at the last two tournaments.

Consecutive defeats in the final to New Zealand’s Black Ferns mean that it is now 11 years since England were last crowned world champions, but a team that has gone unbeaten since the last tournament decider begin as strong favourites.

The first task for John Mitchell’s side was navigating out of Pool A, which they have successfully achieved. They started in style with a 69-7 thrashing of the USA in Sunderland followed by a 92-3 win over Samoa.

Top spot was sealed by a 47-7 win over Australia. The Pool A representatives will play their quarter-finals in Bristol, which will also be the venue for the two semi-finals of the competition before the final is held at Twickenham on Saturday 27 September.

Who have England played?

England face the USA, Samoa and Australia in their three group games.

Friday 22 August: England 69-7 USA

Saturday 30 August: England 92-3 Samoa

Saturday 6 September: England 47-7 Australia

Who will the Red Roses face in the quarter-finals?

England will take on Scotland in the last eight after they topped Pool A.

What is England’s route to the final?

England could well be on a collision course with their closest Women’s Six Nations rivals at the semi-final stage. If the pools and last-eight fixtures go to form, France would top Pool D and then progress past the Pool C runners-up into the last four.

There could yet be a curveball, though – Ireland beat New Zealand at WXV last year and will be out to do so again in Brighton on 7 September.

An upset in that game could mean France and the Black Ferns clash at the quarter-final stage – although England will expect to have to face the defending champions or Canada in the final.