September 6th, 2006
England Women’s international Nicola Crawford says Friday’s IRB Rugby World Cup third round encounter is a ‘do or die’ clash, but it’s a match she and her teammates are relishing.
The Worcester wing, who has scored over 40 tires for England including two touchdowns against South Africa in Monday’s World Cup match, is confident England can stand up to the challenge of seeing off their Six Nations rivals on Friday at St. Albert Park in Edmonton, Canada, kick-off 12am BST.
“Playing France is going to be a huge game,” said Crawford, who has played against the USA and South Africa in the World Cup tournament so far. “As we sit fourth in the table, just behind France, and only the top four go into the semi-finals, this is the crunch game for us.
“It’s going to be a brilliant match though and it is games like this, when so much is at stake, everyone in the England camp loves. We know we have the potential to get through to the next round, but after we beat France 28-0 on their turf in this Six Nations they too will have a point to prove.
“France have a hugely experienced pack who I am sure will be leading their challenge, but we too have a strong all-round squad who will not settle for anything less that being in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup. It’s certainly going to be a cracker of a match.”
England’s World Cup Schedule:
August 31st England v USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton,
KO 12am BST WON 18-0
September 4th England v South Africa at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton KO 9.30pm BST WON 74-8
September 8th England v France at St. Albert RFC, Edmonton
KO 12am BST
September 12th Semi-finals:
1st v 4th (M19), St. Albert, KO 12am BST
2nd v 3rd (M20), Ellerslie Rugby Park, KO 12am BST
5th v 8th (M21), St. Albert, KO 9.30pm BST
6th v 7th (M22), Ellerslie Rugby Park, KO 9.30pm BST
9th v 12th (M23), St. Albert, KO 7pm BST
10th v 11th (M24), Ellerslie Rugby Park, KO 7pm BST
September 16th Consolation Finals (All Ellerslie Rugby Park):
Loser M21 v Loser M22, KO 12am BST
Winner M23 v Winner M24, KO 9.30pm BST
Loser M23 v Loser M24, KO 7pm BST
September 17th Finals (All at the Commonwealth Stadium)
Winner M21 v Winner M 22, KO 7pm BST
Loser M19 v Loser M20, KO 9.30pm BST
Winner M19 v Winner M20, KO 12am BST
Ends..
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