Expectation rather than hope for England at World Cup in New Zealand

While most teams at the women's Rugby World Cup will arrive with various levels of hope, England will fully expect to cruise to the final and another probable showdown with New Zealand, the only side who look capable of beating them.

The teams have contested four of the last five finals with New Zealand winning all four meetings but England, largely through turning professional in 2019, look to have opened a considerable gap between them and the rest, with even the Black Ferns struggling to hang on to their coattails in the last 18 months.

The three years the England squad have been able to work together, with all the nutritional and medical support that comes with professionalism, has made them unrecognisable from the side beaten 41-32 by New Zealand in the 2017 final in Belfast.

Other nations have followed suit, with various levels of contract, commitment and support, but they are still all playing catch-up.

England's 73-7 thrashing of Wales in their final warm-up game last month stretched their winning run to a record 25, which included two thumping wins over New Zealand last year.

England face France, South Africa and Fiji in the pool stage, and are heavy favourites to reclaim their title, having lost in the final five years ago. The hosts New Zealand appear to be best of the rest, while France will fancy their chances of making a run through the tournament, even if the title looks out of reach.

After naming his tournament squad, England coach Simon Middleton recognised the pressure facing his team:

"We've got to win it," he said, bluntly.

"This is the best prepared squad with the best strength in depth we've ever had, but that doesn't mean we will win it.

"The one thing you can't guarantee is that you will win it because it