England will be aiming to end a run of three straight defeats in Women’s Rugby World Cup finals when they meet Canada in Paris on Sunday.
The Red Roses, who claimed their only world title in 1994, were beaten by New Zealand in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Gary Street’s team are favourites to beat a Canadian side who will be appearing in their first final.
But England captain Katy Mclean warned: “As soon as you start thinking about lifting cups is when you fall over.”
New Zealand, winners of the last four World Cups, were knocked out of the competition at the pool stage after a shock defeat by Ireland.
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Flyhalf Mclean refused to talk about the chance of an England victory in their sixth final but was happy to admit that their 40-7 semi-final win over Ireland was a turning point.
“For us it was about turning up and performing,” she said. “We hadn’t been great against Canada (in the pool) and we knew that. Against Ireland everything just clicked for us.”
England may have played their best rugby of the tournament in that match but Mclean knows it will only get tougher against Canada.
“We’re going to expect a big physical match,” said Mclean.
“The fact they put the hosts France out in their semi-final? All credit to them. That was a great game and a great result.”
“We know they are going to come hard. We know if you give the Canadian runners space they’re going to do damage but that will be something we focus on. We’ll make sure we cut them down and not allow them any space and not allow them to play.”
Canada’s nail-biting 18-16 win against France was arguably the match of the tournament so far.
Having recorded an epic victory against New Zealand, Ireland could not lift themselves to the same heights against England. So could Canada similarly struggle, having had to expend so much physical and mental energy against France?
The morning after that match, Canada’s coach Francois Rattier simply wrote on Twitter: “One more!”
His captain, Kelly Russell, is equally determined to win the trophy.
“Of course, it’s a dream,” she said. “It’s our goal coming into this. Obviously we enjoyed the semi-final but now it’s all about rest and recovery, before it’s back to business.”
Canadian women’s rugby has been on the rise for several years and they sounded a warning to England last year when they beat an albeit under-strength Red Roses side to lift their first Nations Cup title.
They also made it through to the final of the Sevens World Cup in Moscow before losing to New Zealand. Several of those on duty that day will be able to call upon that experience when they line up against England on Sunday.
Number 8, Russell, says their success is having an impact back in Canada: “The reaction has been phenomenal, it’s been so uplifting for all the girls. We want to help develop women’s rugby so hopefully this keeps going.”
Player of the Tournament
The IRB announced the nominations for the women’s player of the year ahead of the semi-final. There were two Canadians on the list, wing Magail Harvey and Russell herself.
No English players made it to the final four, although the wisdom of making the nominations so early eliminates the impressive semi-final performances of Emily Scarratt, Rochelle Clark and Marlie Packer.
Previous World Cup Finals
| 1991 | United States | 19-6 | England |
| 1994 | England | 38-23 | United States |
| 1998 | New Zealand | 44-12 | United States |
| 2002 | New Zealand | 19-9 | England |
| 2006 | New Zealand | 25-17 | England |
| 2010 | New Zealand | 13-10 | England |