September 17th, 2006

I am delighted to be able to send my best wishes to the England team for the Rugby World Cup Final against New Zealand at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

England’s progress to the final has been impressive with victories over the USA, South Africa, France and hosts Canada and now you have the opportunity to test your abilities against the reigning world champions.

I’m sure that confidence will be high following the team’s performances during the tournament so far and I hope that this will help secure an excellent result against New Zealand.

The men did it in 2003 and I really hope that this weekend we will all be celebrating a double world cup triumph for England.
 
This is a terrific opportunity to raise the profile of not just women’s rugby in Britain, but women’s sport as a whole, and I hope you grab the chance on Sunday night and come home victorious. I’m only sorry I can’t be with you.
 
Good luck to Jo and all the team.
 
Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport.