Rugby Jones says England are full of belief ahead of World Cup

ENGLAND'S Meg Jones is polishing her weapons and suiting up to step out in the ultimate gladiator arena this summer, writes Megan Armitage.

- Megan Armitage

The 28-year-old is part of John Mitchell's Red Roses squad for the upcoming 2025 Rugby World Cup, which will take place on English soil.

The event will travel the country, dotting down in seven host cities before making it’s way to London, with the culmination of a month of tantalising rugby coming to a head on Saturday 27 September.

And for former Bristol Bears star Jones, there’s one location that sticks out in her mind above all else, with the possibility of winning the Rugby World Cup in front of a sold-out home crowd on the battle ground of Allianz Stadium looming large.

“Playing at Allianz and coming out of that tunnel, it’s literally tunnel vision,” she said.

“It just opens up into this huge arena, this battle arena, where you're like, ‘this is where we're about to go to war!’

“That's the feeling I like, particularly when you see flags waving around the crowd. It’s just the sense that there’s a battle ahead, and what an arena to be in for it.

“Hopefully we get that opportunity.”

World Rugby has today announced Allianz as an Official Supporter of Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025.