Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP LONDON - England coach John Mitchell believes it is "irrelevant" his side are favourites to win the Women's Rugby World Cup. Tournament hosts England kick-off this year's World Cup against the United States in Sunderland on ...

Loughborough Lightning and USA international Kathryn Treder is set to feature in the Womens Rugby World Cup; she is a Stanford graduate and also works as a data scientist; England play USA in the tour

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.

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

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.