Pressure no match for the Red Roses, says Alphonsi

THE Red Roses head into the Women's World Cup in an unprecedented position as overwhelming favourites but 2014 champion Maggie Alphonsi has backed them to cope with the pressure. Back-row star Alphonsi was part of the England team that lifted the trophy seven years ago, the second time they had claimed the global crown.

Ad Now, coach Simon Middleton's side are looking to win a third world title and have arrived in New Zealand on the back of 25 consecutive victories, the longest winning streak in the history of international men's or women's rugby. RugbyRed Roses should take inspiration from Lionesses says legend Alphonsi6 HOURS AGO As a result, England are heavy favourites, even in the back yard of the defending champions who have won five titles in seven participations.

That status brings a new level of pressure. For Alphonsi though, the Red Roses have shown enough over the course of the past five years since a defeat in the final to those very same Black Ferns, that they should feel confident that they can get the job done.

«If I think about my experience, going back to 2006 then 2010, there was always a feeling going into the tournament that New Zealand were the favourites and then you would expect England would reach the final, but could they actually go and win it?,» said Alphonsi, who was meeting with women and girls who play for National Lottery-supported Haringey Rhinos RFC, to see for herself how National Lottery funding is having a positive impact on female participation at the club. «Even in 2017, I'd say New Zealand still felt like they were the favourites, so this is probably the first time where England have been seen as the overwhelming favourites and it's theirs to lose.