Rugby World Cup finalists England hope to inspire next generation
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland Date: Saturday, 12 November Kick-off: 06:30 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live; follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app; watch live on ITV

New Zealand will play England in the Rugby World Cup final.

Since November 2020, the Red Roses have been at the top of the world rankings and have won 30 Tests in a row.

There are links to articles where you can learn more about the players who are hoping to win the world title on Saturday.

Forwards

Zoe Aldcroft

She is the World Rugby Player of the Year and has a knitted toy named after her.

Sarah Bern

There is a 25-year-old prop.

Hannah Botterman

A young man is a full-time England prop.

Shaunagh Brown

A 32-year-old man who is a prop and columnist for the British Broadcasting Corporation has spoken about how to defy society's expectations.

  • 'Why our World Cup final is about more than rugby'

Poppy Cleall

There is a person in the back row. A former prison officer and England's captain.

Amy Cokayne

Cokayne is a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force. She moved back to England after being called up to a Black Ferns camp as a teenager.

Vickii Cornborough

She is the first woman to be elected into a Rugby Players' Association leadership role in 2021.

Lark Davies

Davies was competing with Cokayne for the starting hooker position.

Rosie Galligan

After recovering from a broken ankle, the lock burst back onto the international scene in the Women's Six Nations.

Detysha Harper

Laura Keates injured her knee before England's last pool game against South Africa and was replaced by propHarper.

Sarah Hunter

The Red Roses' captain became the most-capped women's and England international when she played in her 136th game against Australia.

Sadia Kabeya

The flanker was introduced to rugby by her teacher and England teammate.

I just screamed! - Sadia Kabeya included in England's World Cup squad

Laura Keates

She is studying to become a dentist while she is still playing rugby. Keates withdrew from the squad after he injured his knee in training.

Alex Matthews

The flanker lost her job in 2020 due to cuts to sevens funding, but has found a new one.

Maud Muir

The 21-year-old has risen through England's ranks. She and the director of rugby talked about how women's rugby has changed over time.

Cath O'Donnell

O'Donnell came back into England's back five just in time for the World Cup after a long absence.

Marlie Packer

Few would be happy to see Packer rampaging towards them on a rugby pitch, but the flanker insists she has a soft side as well.

Marlie Packer holds Oliver while singing the anthem
Marlie Packer's toddler Oliver was a mascot for England's victory against Wales in September

Connie Powell

She plays club rugby at Gloucester-Hartpury.

Morwenna Talling

Had it not been for a year's delay, the 20-year-old lock would have missed out on the World Cup with an injured knee.

Abbie Ward

Dave is the husband of a starter in the second row. She is one of the brains behind England's line-out.

Backs

Holly Aitchison

At the Tokyo Olympics, Aitchison was part of the team that won the gold medal.

Jess Breach

The wing called on men's players to help promote the women's game.

Abby Dow

Wing's degree in mechanical engineering made it possible for him to return from a broken leg in just five months for the World Cup.

Zoe Harrison

Harrison was the winner of the race to be England's starting fly-half. She said people tried to bully her out of rugby when she was younger.

Tatyana Heard

Three years ago, she began working at the supermarket. She has played in both of England's World Cup knockout games so far, despite being interrupted by three knee injuries.

Leanne Infante

Infante hopes the Red Roses can create a movement like the Lionesses.

Ellie Kildunne

"lukewarm is no good" is the quote that inspired Kildunne to return to full-back.

Claudia MacDonald

At the end of 2021, MacDonald was told a neck injury might prevent her from playing rugby ever again, but she is back to full fitness.

'All the feelings' - MacDonald in England World Cup squad after neck injury

Sarah McKenna

A part of England's extremely strong back three, McKenna, 33, doubles as head of the side's social activities and has organised several theme nights in New Zealand.

Lucy Packer

She was chosen over the World Cup winning nine because of her consistency.

Helena Rowland

England internationals Harrison and Botterman played in an all-star junior team with Centre Rowland. She is likely to miss the final due to an ankle injury she sustained in the semi-finals.

Emily Scarratt

Scarratt, one of the best-known names in the women's game, earned a 100th cap that was very different to her first.

Lydia Thompson

In the World Cup, Thompson only played one match because of an injury. The Red Roses were runners up in the tournament. Will the 30-year-old be lucky three times?

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