LOSSES ON MEG'S MIND

Grief gives England centre motivation

- By Neil Squires

ENGLAND vice-captain Meg Jones will be driven on by the pain of loss when she steps out for the Red Roses in the Women's Rugby World Cup opener tomorrow night.

Jones will face the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in front of more than 40,000 fans a record for a curtain-raiser.

But, as well as the pride and excitement, the double Sevens Olympian will be thinking of her parents, having lost both in the space of four horrible months last year. Her dad Simon died of lung cancer before mum Paula passed away after a long battle with alcoholism.

Jones said: "I've always led with my heart and I'll always be passionate about what I do.