England face Aussies in semi final showdown

by James Skitt - 31.08.10

England’s women take on Australia tomorrow (Wednesday) in the semi final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup knowing they are just two more victories away from claiming the title on home soil.

The hosts topped pool B after winning all three of their group matches against Ireland (27-0), Kazakhstan (82-0) and USA (37-10), and now face the Aussies for the right to meet New Zealand or France in Sunday’s final.

England’s squad access a range of English Institute of Sport (EIS) services including Strength and Conditioning, Physiotherapy, Performance Psychology, Performance Analysis, Performance Lifestyle and Performance Nutrition,

Head coach Gary Street named a strong squad earlier today to face Australia, with Richmond trio Alice Richardson, Fiona Pocock and Amy Turner all returning to the side.

Street told rfu.com: “This is a huge game and as such we have picked an extremely experienced side to take on the Australian challenge."

With the group matches having been staged in Guildford at the Surrey Sports Park, attention now switches to the Twickenham Stoop, which will stage the semi finals and final, with Street adding: "It’s certainly going to be exciting to play at the Stoop and we are hoping to have the same great support that we have enjoyed at the Surrey Sports Park.

"The Australian England rivalry is great in every sporting contest and I am sure it will be no different on Wednesday. This is going to be a tough semi final and we won’t be taking anything for granted. There are definitely no easy games in a world cup semi final."

England Women’s team to face Australia:
Waterman, Barras, Scarratt, Richardson, Pocock, McLean, Turner, Clark, Garnett, Crowley, Taylor, MCGilchrist, Fisher, Alphonsi, Spencer (C)
Replacements: Croker, Hemming, Essex, Beale, Mason, Burford, Staniford

The WRWC semi finals get underway at the Twickenham Stoop with New Zealand v France, kick off 6pm, before England v Australia, kick off 8:15pm.

 All England’s matches will also be shown live on Sky Sports.
 
For WRWC 2010 tickets visit the Ticketmaster website or call 0844 844 2010. Rugby fans who buy tickets for the WRWC 2010 will also be put on a priority ticketing information list for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. For a full schedule of fixtures and to follow England in the WRWC visit www.rfu.com/wrwc

Photography © Getty Image