England can be confident – but Samoa have a larger goal

It says a lot about the depth and strength that England possess in their ranks that news of a knee injury for captain Zoe Aldcroft was not met with undue panic this week.

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

The Red Roses skipper will miss their remaining two pool stage games against Samoa and Australia but is expected to be back for the quarterfinals. To lose one’s leader at any time can bring uncertainty; in the midst of a home World Cup, it could threaten disaster.

Not, though, for this England side in the context of a tournament in which they will probably only be truly tested from the semifinal stage. They are heavy favourites, naturally, for the two games that Aldcroft will be absent for, and while the clash with Samoa is the first Red Roses match she will miss since the 2022 Six Nations, John Mitchell has both the playing options and leadership density to cover even for a world-leading individual.

Enter Marlie Packer to deputise, the former captain demoted at the start of the year, with England no longer believing her a certain starter or 80-minute individual. The flanker may have to be content with a bit-part role at this tournament with places in the first-choice 23, but her installation as stand-in skipper is a testament to her professionalism and ability to continue to drive England as a leader in camp. Together with Meg Jones – an increasingly important figure – they will pick up from Aldcroft, with a complementary leadership core operating well since being formed ahead of the Women’s Six Nations. there to support Zoe in whatever she needs, but she's also been doing the same for us in training today. Me, her and Meg caught up after the session today, just talking about a couple of little bits we want to work on as a group in how we want to be perceived, so we're still just doing our roles as normal.”