Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022: England the firm favourites but hosts New Zealand are plotting their downfall

England are the favourites to win the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup. They play Fiji in Auckland at 4.45 am tomorrow. Captain and No8 Arah Hunter will win her 136th cap. She will pass Rocky Clark's all-time record. Bookmakers rate England 2-1 on to lift the trophy at Eden Park on November 12.

England are the favourites for the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup. England have won the last four Six Nations and scored 99 points in hammering the Black Ferns twice last autumn. The hosts have called up some experienced players and have upped the ante. New Zealand have already won five World Cups since 1998. They have a new head coach, Wayne Smith, who won Super Rugby titles with Crusaders and Chiefs. New Zealander Graham Henry has been brought in as a consultant. Harlequins prop Shaunagh Brown is out of the opening game with Covid.