The Red  Roses Bid for World Cup Glory

Hosting a tournament such as this can be advantageous and England are the 4/9 favourites of the UK sports gambling companies (according to British Gambler) to win the tournament. However, it isn’t just where the games are being played that explain those short odds. If England plays to their full potential, they are the best team in the world.

They reached the last final that was played three years ago. On that occasion, they were beaten by the defending champions New Zealand. Since that narrow loss by just three points (hampered by playing most of the game with 14 players), England have gone unbeaten in 26 matches.

It’s 11 years since England won their only world title with a victory over Canada. Just four of that squad will be playing this year when the tournament takes place between August 22 and September 27.

One of those is Marlie Packer who captained England in their resounding 97-7 win over Spain on August 2 but was sent off but will be available if selected for England’s pool matches.

This year has already seen England win the Six Nations, again completing a Grand Slam. Only France really troubled them with England winning at Twickenham 43-42.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, England captain Zoe Aldcroft said that “It's incredible that you see the country getting behind them and that is something we want to build and achieve that momentum."

England’s head coach is John Mitchell and his view is that the “strong values and qualities” that the Lionesses have shown “exist in our group too.” They will certainly need that because despite the excellent results England have had, there is the task of coping with the pressure of being the host nation and also heavy favourites with betting companies.

However, Mitchell believes the pressure is really on New Zealand. The Black Ferns are bidding to win this trophy for a third successive time. SIx of the last seven World Cups have been won by New Zealand. Five of the last six finals have seen them defeat England. There are odds of 7/2 on that happening this year. England beating New Zealand in the final is 20/21.

England are in Pool A and take on the USA, Samoa and Australia. Just to illustrate their dominance, they are 1/250 to win the Pool with Australia 14/1 and Samoa 18/1.

Their likely opponents in the quarter-finals are either Wales or Scotland, both comfortably beaten in this year’s Six Nations. It’s highly likely that the semi-finals will see them take on France and that is when the going will get a lot tougher.

New Zealand are not used to coming into a tournament as anything but the favourites to win it. They are second in the outright betting at 12/5. They have received a pre-tournament boost with the return of Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Seven tries were scored by her in May’s 79-14 win over the USA. They made her New Zealand’s top scorer with 45 scored in 26 tests.

England beat New Zealand twice last year so that will give them a major boost if the two sides meet in the final as expected. 

New Zealand start off in Pool C and face Ireland (who beat them last year), Japan and Spain. The Black Ferns are 1/100 to win the Pool with Ireland second in the betting at 10/1.

Canada cannot be totally discounted after holding New Zealand to a draw this year. They are totally expected to win Pool B against Wales, Scotland and Fiji. The Canadians are 1/200 to win that Pool and 6/1 to win the trophy.  

Bookmakers expect it to be close between Wales and Scotland for the second qualifying place with both countries 16/1 to win their pool. Scotland finished fifth in this year’s Six Nations on nine points. They beat Wales (who lost all their matches) but only 24-21 at home.

France have only once failed to reach the semi-finals, finishing third seven times. They are 1/20 to finish ahead of Italy, South Africa and Brazil in Pool D. It’s 13/2 they reach their first ever final and 12/1 they become world champions.

The World Cup promises to provide us with a feast of rugby. There might not be a mass of closely contested matches until the final stages, but it should be an unforgettable month, especially if England lift the trophy.