Simon Middleton: England’s red roses had to win the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand | News about Rugby Union

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Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton has admitted: ‘We have to win the World Cup’ in New Zealand

England head coach Simon Middleton admitted “we have to win” after unveiling what he considers the best-prepared World Cup squad in the nation’s history.

Veteran Mo Hunt is the biggest name left out of the 32-strong group that will depart for New Zealand on Friday, but wing Abby Dow is still included despite being sidelined since breaking his leg in April. .

Sarah Hunter captained England to a third consecutive World Cup and will appear at the tournament for a fourth time, an achievement shared by center Emily Scarratt.

A record 25-Test win including a Grand Slam won in April means the Red Roses are the favorites to claim the global crown for a third time and Middleton accepts that they have to deliver.

When asked if anything other than winning the World Cup would be considered a failure, Middleton said: “That’s right. We have to win.

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England captain Sarah Hunter says experience could be a key factor leading to next month’s World Cup

“We have the best power in depth we’ve ever had. We have everything at our disposal that we could possibly want.

“This is the best prepared squad and the best depth power we’ve ever had. We’re ready to go as hard as we can.

“That doesn’t mean we’re going to win it. The thing is you can’t guarantee that you’ll win it because it doesn’t work like that.

“Look at Argentina beating New Zealand in New Zealand for the first time recently or Andy Ruiz taking out Anthony Joshua when he didn’t have a chance.

“Back when I was playing, Wimbledon beat Liverpool in football. Everyone has a chance in sport, that’s the beauty of it.

“You’ll never be at 100% performance but if we can get as many players at their best when that matters, we’ll be in a good position.”

Red Roses head to World Cup after world record 25 consecutive test wins

Hunt started in the last two World Cup finals of her 60 caps, but she fell to fearsome players like Leanne Infante, Lucy Packer and Claudia MacDonald.

MacDonald pressed on her ability to cover the wing with the 33-year-old Hunt being overlooked for a style of play that was the opposite of what the British wanted from the position.

“We feel desperate for the players who missed out. We’re really confident we’ve got the right squad,” Middleton said.

“This decision comes from the fact that we have a very specific way of playing in which we build our game around 10 and 12. We don’t build our game around nine. ours, unlike New Zealand or France.

“Our No.9’s role is simple – start the crash, get the ball into the No.10’s hand quickly, move on to the next ball, do it again and keep repeating.

England won their fourth consecutive Six-Country title earlier this year

“In that area there is scope to express, but the basic of that work is very simple.

“Mo is a very instinctive player – she wants to run, shoot and pass. She wants to be at the center of the scheme and really influence inside.”

MacDonald’s presence provides extra cover for Dow, who is expected to be ready for the opener against Fiji in Auckland on October 8 after breaking his leg against Wales in April.

“If we can get her to the park and something close to her best, we know we’ll have the edge, but we’re not going to risk her,” Middleton said. speak.

Former World Player of the Year Emily Scarratt remains a key figure in the set-up

The World Cup kicks off on October 8 in Auckland, ending with the final in the same city on November 12.

England were drawn in Group C with France, South Africa and Fiji – their first opponents on the opening day of the tournament.

England Women’s Rugby World Cup squad

Striker: Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 32 caps), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 46 caps), Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 30 caps), Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 27 caps), Poppy Cleall ( Saracens, 57 caps), Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 64 caps), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 70 caps), Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 41 caps), Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 7 caps), shirt), Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 135 caps), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps), Laura Keates (University of Worcester Warriors, 62 caps), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51 caps), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps), Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 20 caps), Marlie Packer (Saracens, 84 caps), Connie Powell (Gloucester) -Hartpury, 5 caps), Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 56 caps).

Backside: Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 10 caps), Jess Breach (Saracens, 23 caps), Abby Dow (Wasps, 24 caps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 40 caps), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury) , 5 caps), Leanne Infante ( Saracens, 52 caps), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 25 caps), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter captain, 20 caps), Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 42 caps), shirt), Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 5 caps), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps), Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 103 caps), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors University, 54 caps), coat).