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. The Red Roses skipper will miss their remaining two pool stage games against Samoa and Australia but is expected to be back for the quarter-finals. 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 semi-final 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.
