Canada present 'extreme' challenge for England - Yapp

Jo Yapp became the first female to become head coach of the Australia women's team when she was appointed in December 2023

England will have to overcome an "extremely challenging" Canada side to win the World Cup for a third time at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday, says former Red Roses captain Jo Yapp.

The hosts have swept into their seventh final in a row and are attempting to be crowed champions for the first time since beating Canada in the 2014 showpiece.

Canada, ranked second in the world, have lit up this tournament with their own attacking flair and sensationally dispatched six-time champions New Zealand in the semi-final.

Shrewsbury-born Yapp, 46, played for England in three World Cups and is stepping down from her role as head coach of Australia at the end of the tournament after just under two years in the job.

Her Wallaroos side faced both England and Canada in the tournament, losing 47-7 to the Red Roses in the pool stage and 46-5 to Canada in the quarter-final.

"It's interesting because I hear people say a lot Canada have been a surprise and underdogs going into this but they are ranked second in the world and have been for some time," Yapp told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"So, it wasn't a shock to me the way they have performed."

Kevin Rouet's Canada may be part-time and had to crowdfund their way to raise the money needed to cover preparation costs for the World Cup but, in their razor-sharp backs and all-round dynamism of their goal-kicking number eight Sophie de Goede, they have the tools - and class - to become world champions.

"They've got an ability to adapt their game," Yapp added.

"They can play tight, they can play wide. Their speed of ball is what makes them extremely challenging to defend against.

"They're going to be a tough team to beat."

England, number one in the world, will be favourites for Saturday's final as they try to extend their record 32-game unbeaten run in the process.

John Mitchell's side have looked irresistible in tournament so far, with full-back Ellie Kildunne and centre Meg Jones producing some superb performances.

The majority of the 82,000-strong Twickenham crowd will be willing them on and Yapp, who played in 1998, 2002 and was captain when England were runners up in the 2006 tournament, said they should not have a problem handling the pressure and expectation.

"You absolutely go through the same processes you've done in every other game but obviously the tensions are there," she said.

"A sell-out crowd at Twickenham is going to be very special for the players.

"They'll have spent a lot of time going through it with their sport psychologists over supporting them over how they manage any nerves.

"But they would've expected to get to the final so they'll be very prepared for that."

Jo Yapp won 70 caps for England and played in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup, captaining the Red Roses to the final that year

Looking back on her own experience with England, Yapp says the explosion of the profile of the women's game has been a welcome change from her time.

"Although we didn't necessarily have the crowds and the media behind us, it was still extremely special to represent your country at a World Cup," she said.

"With the crowds [at this tournament] it's been amazing for women's sport to see so many people step up and come and watch.

"When England got the World Cup they said they wanted to sell-out Twickenham and here they are selling out Twickenham."