Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, odds - The Red Rose hope to open their World Cup campaign with a statement win

Sarah Hunter, the Red Roses defence coach, believes this month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup will attract more women into coaching roles.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup has officially declared a sell-out with upwards of 80,000 people expected to attend Twickenham in a record audience for a women’s rugby game on 27 September.

But when the call came to represent the Red Roses, Shekells didn’t hesitate because she believes this home World Cup is a massive moment for women’s rugby in England. “I’m excited to see where the women’s game will go,” Shekells told Standard Sport. “It’s already on the rise, and I think a home World Cup will make it explode.

Four nations taking part in the Women's Rugby World Cup have been welcomed to England with a ceremony in a town. The teams of Brazil, Ireland, Japan and South Africa attended an official welcome ceremony at Northampton's Guildhall on Saturday, ahead of the tournament, which begins on Friday.