Heartbreak again for English rugby league in a World Cup but this time, heartbreak tinged with optimism and plenty of pride. While Shaun Wane’s men limped out in the semi-finals over the weekend and were undeniably disappointing, Craig Richards’ women leave at the same stage, but with their heads held high.
Make no mistake about it, England had set the goal of reaching the final on home soil this year. But the gulf in quality between the development of women’s rugby league on both sides of the world has been so vast, that the gap cannot be bridged overnight. Five years ago, England were beaten 52-4 by New Zealand in the semi-finals.
