European champion Kirby calls for Red Roses to believe

European champion Fran Kirby has one piece of advice for the England women's rugby team in their own quest for glory — believe. The 29-year-old from Reading started every game of the Lionesses’ victorious campaign but underlines the importance of the buy-in of every single member of Sarina Wiegman's squad.

Ad The striker was speaking at the premiere of ‘Wear the Rose: An England Rugby Dream’, a two-part behind-the-scenes documentary which has followed the Red Roses in the build-up to New Zealand. RugbyRugby star Bryony Cleall ready to prove doubters wrong with new 'Wear the Rose' documentary3 HOURS AGO «We had some amazing players that played, and we had some really good performances, but I think off the pitch was just as important,» Kirby said.

«Every player felt a value to the team, you take a squad of 23 you can only play 11 plus six subs, how do you make every player feel that they're part of creating something and building something? »I think that was key in why we were successful is that everyone bought into it. And it's difficult, it's not an easy environment to be in, you're with the same people for nearly 10 weeks.

«It's difficult to keep that 100% every single day, but everyone really bought into it. »That would be my biggest advice is, everyone invest in it, everyone buy into it because at the end of the day if you walk away with a gold medal, no one's going to know if you played or not." While the diminutive Chelsea forward will not be swapping her shinpads for a scrum cap any time soon, Kirby relished the chance to see how another international team operates.