'We're showing girls they can be strong, that they can do it'

Red Roses lock Abbie Ward is proud to have been on their journey and insists they will thrive on the pressure of final

- Robert Kitson

Abbie Ward's life has been transformed since England's last World Cup final appearance but, in some ways, little has changed. While motherhood has taught her that, in theory, there are bigger things to worry about than a game of rugby, there is no disguising that victory on Saturday would be the sweetest of redemption stories.

Three years ago in Auckland it all came down to the final lineout of a spectacular final: secure possession to set up a familiar driving maul and the trophy would be heading the way of the Red Roses. Instead New Zealand nicked the ball off Ward's fingertips and, for a second successive tournament, England and their relentless lock forward had to settle for honourable defeat.

Given Ward had long kept a picture in her purse of her No 4 jersey on its peg from 2017 to fuel her motivation levels and the pain of another major defeat was considerable. "It's a cruel, cruel sport," she murmured below the stands at Eden Park as she tried her best to rationalise the unthinkable. Yet here she is again, now 32, looking to make it third time lucky while juggling her career alongside being a mum to two-year-old Hallie. She freely admits it would mean even more to conquer the world with Hallie (along with her husband, Dave, now the head coach of Ampthill) up in the stands. "To have her pitchside, to be able to see her in the crowd when we line up to sing the anthem, it's so special. She's the biggest Red Roses fan and it's amazing to be able to share that with her."