Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA Women’s National Team (WNT) will play its third Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) pool match on Thursday, Aug. 17, against England. Both are 2-0 in Dublin, and tomorrow’s victor will advance directly to the semifinals on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
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England is the number-one ranked team in the world and the reigning WRWC champion. In preparation for the Ireland tournament, the Red Roses traveled to the southern hemisphere for three victories against Australia (53-10), Canada (27-20) and New Zealand (29-21). The third decision saw the Red Roses retake the top spot in the rankings from the Black Ferns.
Thus far this World Cup, England has outscored Spain and Italy 112-18, with players like Kay Wilson, Emily Scarratt, Lydia Thompson, Danielle Waterman and Amy Cokayne making multiple appearances on the scoreboard. Click here to view the highlight reel against Italy, and here for the match against Spain.
“I think they’ll be a bit more direct and a bit more physical, so that in itself will be a little bit different,” England coach Simon Middleton told EnglandRugby.com. “Like all of the sides they’ve got some really dangerous players, they’ve got a back three who are really good carriers of the ball and so we will have to be astute with how we get the ball and when we kick.”
Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The starting squad that is going to face the USA has 735 caps, a figure that translates to experience and confidence. The sentiment out of the American camp is that the team is still a work in progress.
“Prep is good. We are healthy and ready for the test,” USA WNT coach Pete Steinberg reflected on the England build-up. “We will know how good we are when we play the world champions, but our focus is still on growing and improving as a team.”
Despite an opportunity to play in the semifinals – win or lose – the team has not discussed the possibility just yet.
Tapper has two World Cup tries so far. / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
“We still feel like we have a lot to give, but we know our defense will be tested much more in this game than in the last game,” Steinberg continued. “England have strong runners in the forwards and backs, a very sophisticated kicking game and the best lineout maul in the world. We have spent some time looking at what they do, but we are not changing our approach to the game.”
Experience aside, the USA will need to be smart about the ball in contact, rein in its penalty count, and keep that fast-up defense in the face of the English attack.
The second-place team in Pool B has a shot at the semifinals. Click here to read more about the advancement scenarios. Thursday’s kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. Eastern / 6:30 a.m. Pacific.