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by Our Sports Desk
England women’s captain Katy Mclean hopes to lead her squad to Rugby World Cup glory in France next month at the start of a momentous 18 months for English rugby.
Success for England’s women in Paris could help inspire England’s men to glory at the 2015 tournament in England.
“It’s going to be a huge 18 months,” Mclean said.
“Let’s hope we get the right result in August and again in 2015.”
New Zealand beat England in the final in London four years ago — just as they did in 2002 and 2006 — with Mclean and her team eager to go one place better.
But the competition has improved in the intervening years — rugby sevens’ Olympic place a contributing factor — and New Zealand, Six Nations champions France, Canada, the United States, Ireland, Australia and England all start the tournament with realistic designs on the trophy.
England’s first game is against Samoa on August 1 in Marcoussis, their second against Spain on August 5 before the duel with Canada on August 9.
The semi-finals take place on August 13, with the final at the Jean Bouin Stadium in Paris on August 17.
“For us 2010 took a long time to get over, because we were so close, but you do move on as well,” Mclean added.
“The game has moved on so quickly. Our biggest test now is we’ve got to focus on our group. Samoa and Spain are going to be very different games.
“Our final game against Canada is going to be the main game for us. We could be in danger of looking too far ahead to the final and we don’t want to slip up on that hurdle.”
England squad:
Backs: Claire Allan (Richmond), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Ceri Large (Worcester), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Katy Mclean (captain, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Amber Reed (Bristol), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Bristol).
Forwards: Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Emma Croker (Richmond), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (vice-captain, Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Claire Purdy (Wasps), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).
