Five takeaways as England power into Women's Rugby World Cup quarters - John Mitchell 'selection headache', Samoa sacrifices, and Chloe Kelly role
Published 01/09/2025 at 15:01 GMT+1
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England have got off to a fast start at their home Women's Rugby World Cup, swatting aside the USA and then Samoa last weekend to progress into the quarter-finals. Ahead of John Mitchell's side playing their final pool game against Australia this Saturday, we caught up with reporter Jenny Drummond, who shared her thoughts on The Red Roses' campaign so far.
England
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It has been a romp for England so far at the Women's Rugby World Cup, with big wins over the USA and Samoa seeing The Red Roses into the last eight on home turf.
Skipper Zoe Aldcroft's injury might have been a blow, but with hope she can come back for the knockouts, John Mitchell's side look in good shape for a tilt at a first world crown since 2014.
After their win over a gallant Samoa last weekend, what have been some of the wider takeaways from their campaign so far?
TNT Sports spoke to reporter Jenny Drummond for her views.
Mitchell selection headache?
After watching England trounce Samoa in their second game, Drummond began: "My first takeaway is going to be England's depth.
"You can't argue with it at all. John Mitchell rung 13 changes from week one to week two, and England get a record score.
"It's just quite remarkable. The number of incredible England players, several of them playing really, really well.
"I actually think that Mitchell is going to have a little bit of a selection headache for the third and final pool match.
"Did Zoe Aldcroft's injury and her not being part of the side have an impact? I personally don't think so, not against Samoa. And I don't think it will in the final pool match.
"Knockouts are a very different situation. You want your captain starting and you want that leadership there.
"But it certainly didn't make an impact against Samoa."
Rowland role
Next, Drummond was impressed by the contribution and versatility of Helena Rowland, whose 27 points broke England's individual points record in a Women's Rugby World Cup game.
"Rowland is back from injury and played in the No. 10 jersey," said Drummond. "She scored 27 points, including a try.
"At Franklin's Gardens - her home ground because she plays for Lougborough Lightning in the PWR - it was a very special day for her.
"Player of the Match, she was delighted. She's so versatile as well, can play every single position in the backs other than really scrum-half, so great to have in the side."
'Bananas' atmosphere
Opponents Samoa contributed to the good feeling at Franklin's Gardens, as Drummond expanded on.
"I have to mention Samoa," she said. "First of all, they got their first points in a Rugby World Cup in over a decade.
"They just missed the try line a couple of times, but they secured a penalty and the stadium went bananas.
"They celebrated so hard, it was so lovely to see."
Samoan sacrifices
Drummond also discussed some of the extraordinary sacrifices the Samoan team have made.
She said: "The heart and the character and the sacrifices of the Samoans. They don't have the platform, the opportunities that the English side have.
"They don't have the finances. They have made so many sacrifices to be here. The coach has even paid some money out of his pocket to help prepare the players for this.
"There are six mothers in the team, one has an eight-month-old baby and she's a starting forward.
"It's just incredible, the scenes. There was so much emotion, there were tears. They were celebrating players having 10 caps by dressing up their area of the dressing room.
"There was traditional Samoan dancing at the end, where The Red Roses jumped in the huddle as well, and started being included.
"It was really lovely scenes, and it's highlighting it's not just about what happens on the field sometimes, especially in a Rugby World Cup.
"And I would say it's so much better to have Samoa in this Rugby World Cup than without them."
Kelly 'excited' to promote women's sport
Notable in the stands on Saturday was Lioness Chloe Kelly, fresh from firing England to back-to-back Euros triumphs.
Drummond saluted her role in promoting women's and English sport.
"Not a rugby player of course, Chloe Kelly - two-time winner of the Euros and scorer of that winning penalty - she was at Franklin's Gardens supporting The Red Roses," Drummond said.
"She actually got quite embarrassed when she went on the big screen, which was funny to see.
"She went into The Red Roses dressing room after, met everybody, was delighted and was really excited to be promoting women's sport and the success of it, and the success of English sport as well.
"It's great to see different sports supporting each other, and a great bonus to have Chloe Kelly."
Watch and stream Premiership Women’s Rugby live and on-demand on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports is also the home of the Gallagher PREM and the Autumn Nations Series
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