Beth’s on a world cup mission

Beth Sutcliffe

BETH Sutcliffe believes home advantage could help inspire her England team to Women’s Rugby League World Cup glory next week.

Thirty-year-old Beth, from Chadderton, has earned a call-up to England head coach Chris Chapman’s 24-woman squad for the four-team tournament which gets under way tomorrow with a game against Australia at Dewsbury Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium.

New Zealand are the strong favourites to win the coveted trophy again after winning the only other three World Cup tournaments in 2000, 2003 and 2008.

However, Sutcliffe, who played in New Zealand in 2003 and Australia in 2008, feels this could be England’s year.

“Of course everyone fancies New Zealand to do it again,” said Sutcliffe. “But I feel this year is the biggest chance we’ve ever had to win the trophy.

“On our own patch and in front of our own fans, hopefully that will spur us on to success.

“We’ve got a really fit squad at present, and I would say we’re definitely going to be in it to win it.”

England’s second World Cup fixture is against New Zealand on July 8, before they play France on July 11.

The top two teams in the four-strong group will then meet in the World Cup final at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium on Sunday, July 14.

for a full version of this story buy the Chronicle or read the digital edition on the eChron and iChron