No noise. No nonsense. Just England.
Hosted by Canada
England: Runners-up
How England performed
The Red Roses reached the final of the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup in Canada, under head coach Geoff Richards and captain Joanne Yapp. The pool stage brought three wins: 18–0 against the United States at Rugby Park in St. Albert, 74–8 against South Africa at Ellerslie in Edmonton and 27–8 against France back in St. Albert.
England then met the hosts, Canada, in the semi-final at Ellerslie and won a tight contest 10–6. In the final at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on 17 September, New Zealand won 25–17, and England finished as runners-up, repeating their result from 2002. Their record was four wins and one defeat from five matches, with 146 points scored and 47 conceded, and only New Zealand scored more than eight points against them.
England fixtures
United States
0–18
England
England won
England tries: Kim Oliver 60', Rochelle Clark 79'
United States tries: None
South Africa
8–74
England
England won
England tries: Nicky Crawford 4', Nicky Crawford 20', Sue Day 35', Shelley Rae 39', Sue Day 42', Rochelle Clark 49', Sue Day 55', Rachael Burford 61', Sue Day 68', Selena Rudge 70', Joanne Yapp 73', Charlotte Barras 79'
South Africa tries: Wendy Khumalo 62'
France
8–27
England
England won
England tries: Danielle Waterman 8', Danielle Waterman 34', Sue Day 44', Sue Day 50'
France tries: Fanny Horta 71'
Canada
6–10
England
England won
England tries: Charlotte Barras 7', Kim Shaylor 42', Charlotte Barras 73'
Canada tries: Julie Foster 47', Heather Moyse 76'
New Zealand
25–17
England
England lost
England tries: Penalty try 47', Helen Clayton 76'
New Zealand tries: Monalisa Codling 36', Stephanie Mortimer 41', Victoria Heighway 70', Amiria Rule 79'
England statistics
Full England squad
| Player | Pos | Club | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Alphonsi | Flanker | Saracens | – |
| Karen Andrew | Fly-half | Saracens | – |
| Charlotte Barras | Fullback | Lichfield | 3 |
| Shannon Baker | Flanker | Richmond | – |
| Rachael Burford | Centre | Henle | 1 |
| Rochelle Clark | Prop | Henley | 2 |
| Helen Clayton | Flanker | Saracens | 1 |
| Nicola Crawford | Wing | Worcester | 2 |
| Susan Day | Centre | Wasps | 6 |
| Amy Garnett | Hooker | Saracens | – |
| Vanessa Gray | Prop | Wasps | – |
| Vanessa Huxford | Prop | Wasps | – |
| Jennifer Lyne | Flanker | Richmond | – |
| Kimberley Oliver | Centre | Clifton | 1 |
| Shelley Rae | Fly-half | Wasps | 1 |
| Selena Rudge | Hooker | Wasps | 1 |
| Kimberley Shaylor | Wing | Worcester | 1 |
| Catherine Spencer | Number 8 | Folkestone | – |
| Michaela Staniford | Wing | Henley | – |
| Georgia Stevens | Flanker | Clifton | – |
| Katy Storie | Prop | Clifton | – |
| Jennifer Sutton | Second row | Richmond | – |
| Tamara Taylor | Second row | Thirsk | – |
| Amy Turner | Prop | Wasps | – |
| Danielle Waterman | Fullback | Henley | 2 |
| Joanne Yapp C | Scrum-half | Worcester (c) | 1 |
18+ only. Odds and offers are subject to change and to the bookmaker's terms. Set a budget, never chase losses, and treat betting as entertainment. National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, free, 24/7.