Women's Rugby World Cup Final 2014

They say that it is always third time lucky, well for England today they are hoping that it will be fourth time lucky as they run out against Canada in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Since that devastating three point loss to New Zealand at The Stoop on Sunday 5th September 2010 winning this Final has been the ultimate goal. Now, the trophy is in touching distance and at the Stade Jean Bouin they will run out to it, sitting there teasing them, saying take me if you dare.

The journey to this point has been far from easy, the sacrifices made to play the game at this level are numerous; hours of training on top of day jobs, cancelled social commitments and juggling family responsibilities. This group of women are professionals of their trade and these sacrifices will make success taste that little bit sweeter and defeat hurt more than you or I could ever imagine.

Captain Katy McLean like many other members of the squad remember the 2010 Final well but says things are different now; “All I can go on is the feel, this feels different for us. We are in a better place, we are in a happier place.”

England’s 2014 Final opponents are Canada, a side that have never reached this stage in the competition before however this tournament they have showcased their ability to play a superb brand of rugby. Led by their inspirational captain Kelly Russell, the tremendous feet of Magali Harvey and their physical forwards the Canadians bulldozed their way through their Semi Final beating twenty two French players and breaking twenty thousand French fans’ hearts in the process.

One lingering question remains; is this a game too far for Canada? Will they fall to the same fate as Ireland as suffer from burn out? From an English perspective you can but hope, with a neutral hat on I expect not. Precision, heart and levelheadedness will be three critical components for England. They are all talented players and they all know their game plan inside out, the focus must be on the execution. A huge first twenty minutes is a must... clawing back a deficit in a game of rugby is achievable however clawing back a World Cup Final is a lot more difficult.  

This will be a brutal game of rugby; the physicality will be greater than anything that we have seen this tournament, with eye-watering breakdowns and colossal scrums. There will be no regard for personal safety from any member of either side and the hits will reverberate loudly around the Stade Jean Bouin.  In the backs both sides house world class talents for Canada Magali Harvey and Elissa Alarie are the standouts whilst Danielle Waterman, Emily Scarratt and Kat Merchant light up the English backline. Maggie Alponsi will take charge of the breakdown and the force of Rochelle Clark, Victoria Fleetwood and Sophie Hemming will be essential to tame the Canadians at the set piece. England's match day twenty two is filled with experience, 1,180 worth of experience and they'll need every single ounce of it.

As with any match the outcome is unpredictable, however there are a couple things that we can be sure of. First, is that the atmosphere will be nothing like any of the players have ever experienced before, the Stade Jean Bouin will be packed to the rafters and the support will be deafening. Second, this match will be the pinnacle of what has already been an opinion changing and history making tournament. To England and Canada I wish them both well, there isn't a greater honour than representing your country in a World Cup Final. It will be a day to remember and for England the hope is that it will end in victory having proved that it can be fourth time lucky.

England; 15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol) 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester) 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) 12 Rachael Burford (Thurrock) 11 Kay Wilson (Bristol) 10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) 9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield) 1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester) 2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield) 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol) 4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps) 6 Marlie Packer (Wasps) 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens) 8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) Replacements: 16 Emma Croker (Richmond) 17 Laura Keates (Worcester)  18 Rebecca Essex (Richmond) 19 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond) 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps) 21 Ceri Large (Worcester) 22 Claire Allan (Richmond)

Canada; 15. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC) 14. Magali Harvey (Club de Rugby Quebec) 13. Mandy Marchak (Capilano RFC) 12. Andrea Burk (Capilano RFC) 11. Jessica Dovanne (Velox RFC) 10. Emily Belchos (Markham Irish RFC) 9. Elissa Alarie (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) 1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby Quebec) 2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) 3. Hilary Leith (Capilano RFC) 4. Latoya Blackwood (St. Anne de Bellevue) 5. Maria Samson (Calgary Hornets) 6. Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians) 7. Karen Paquin (Club de Rugby Quebec) 8. Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads) Replacements; 16. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) 17. Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock Wildmen) 18. Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland RFC) 19. Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians) 20. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats RFC) 21. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake RFC) 22. Brittany Waters (Meraloma Athletic Club)