England are favourites to win the Rugby World Cup, which begins on 8 October in New Zealand.<\/span><\/p>\n The world number ones became the first side to win 25 Tests in a row in September and begin their campaign at Eden Park against Fiji on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The final is on 12 November – here is a look at who is hoping to be a world champion on that day with links to articles where you can find out more about each player.<\/span><\/p>\n The 25-year-old lock is the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year and most likely will be accompanied in New Zealand by <\/span>a knitted Jonny Wilkinson doll.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n A 25-year-old prop, with a wing’s feet.<\/span><\/p>\n A painter and decorator,<\/span><\/a> 23, turned full-time England prop.<\/span><\/p>\n A 32-year-old Harlequins prop and BBC Sport columnist who says <\/span>she has enjoyed defying society’s expectations<\/span><\/a> on the way to the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n Cleall, 30, is at home in the second or back row. An ex-prison officer, campaigner and <\/span>briefly England’s captain.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n England’s starting hooker, 26-year-old Cokayne balances her rugby career with being a flight lieutenant in the Royal Airforce.<\/span><\/p>\n The 32-year-old prop leads off the pitch as well as on it – being <\/span>the first woman to be elected into a Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) leadership role<\/span><\/a> in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n Vying with Cokayne for the starting hooker spot, Davies, 27, has joined Bristol for the new Premier 15s season.<\/span><\/p>\n The 24-year-old lock burst back on to the international scene in the 2022 Women’s Six Nations after <\/span>recovering from meningitis and a shattered ankle.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n England’s dedicated 37-year-old captain returned from a nerve injury that left her <\/span>struggling to tie her shoelaces<\/span><\/a> in 2021. Currently on 135 caps, the number eight is set to surpass Rocky Clark’s record of 137 England caps at the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n The 20-year-old flanker was coaxed into rugby by her <\/span>PE teacher and England team-mate Bryony Cleall.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nForwards<\/h3>\n
Zoe Aldcroft<\/h3>\n
Sarah Bern<\/h3>\n
Hannah Botterman<\/h3>\n
Shaunagh Brown<\/h3>\n
Poppy Cleall<\/h3>\n
Amy Cokayne<\/h3>\n
Vickii Cornborough<\/h3>\n
Lark Davies<\/h3>\n
Rosie Galligan<\/h3>\n
Sarah Hunter<\/h3>\n
Sadia Kabeya<\/h3>\n
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