"The unmistakable earworm of Dappy's 2011 hit No Regrets boomed out of the speakers as England stepped on to the turf to train at Twickenham on the eve of Saturday's Rugby World Cup final. It's fair to say, though, that the Red Roses do have a few regrets, six of them stemming from World Cup final losses. The most recent was three years ago when they fell to defeat at the hands of New Zealand at Eden Park."
"The England hooker Amy Cokayne, who scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, cannot wait to play in front of 82,000: For me, more the merrier. I think the bigger crowds we have had, that is when the big players stand up and we are a team full of big players. I have no doubt we will rise to the occasion."
England arrived at Twickenham to prepare for the World Cup final against Canada, carrying the weight of six previous final defeats, most recently to New Zealand at Eden Park three years ago. England need to slow Canada and engage more aggressively at the breakdown while adding unpredictability to their attack. Canada must sustain the high tempo that dismantled New Zealand and nullify creative England threats such as Meg Jones and Ellie Kildunne. The occasion promises a record crowd of about 82,000, energising players like Amy Cokayne. Kildunne remains the standout performer, lauded for her humility, athleticism and instinctive play.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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