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WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL: With the help of head coach Simon Middleton and several members of the beaten squad, Harry Latham-Coyle chronicles how England’s World Cup dream came crashing down - and how defeat may help them in this year’s tournament decider against Canada

Ward has been part of two World Cup final defeats but the arrival of daughter Hallie has changed her perspective ahead of a tournament decider on home soil

The All Blacks’ Auckland fortress has been impregnable for over 30 years but those Australians who last tasted victory there are backing Joe Schmidt’s current crop to emulate them

Bath, the defending champions, are favourites to retain their title but Saracens will be boosted by Owen Farrell’s return

England’s heartache at the Women’s Rugby World Cup three years ago has made them ready for the final against Canada, says the hooker Lark Atkin-Davies

The stereotypical rugby player is a larger than average male who is strong, stoic and, occasionally, a bit single minded. But an effective team needs much greater diversity in traits and behaviour, not least because so many rugby players are actually women.

The lock’s return is one of two changes to the starting side that dealt New Zealand’ their heaviest defeat in history

With no elite domestic league back home, most of the Canada squad ply their trade in Premiership Women’s Rugby - while they have a secret weapon on the coaching staff, too

English top flight’s push to attract a younger audience is accelerating and relegation may soon be a thing of the past