New faces, new energy: Fran backs England to rise

England fullback Fran Goldthorp is embracing the do-or-die challenge that awaits in her side’s historic Round 3 match against Fetu Samoa.

The clash in Wollongong on Friday already holds plenty of meaning with it being the first time the two sides have officially met on the international stage.

With Australia having already secured their spot in the finals, this encounter is effectively a semi-final shootout – the winner will go through to contest the next stage, knocking their opposition out.

“You can't leave it to points difference in this, so you obviously want to win,” Goldthorp said.

“That's what everyone's focus is for each game and I think because it is close between the nations, it makes it a better competition to watch.

“I think obviously Samoa's pack's heavy, they've got quick outside backs, from the NRLW as well, which makes it an even better competition for us.

“I'm really excited to play them.”

After starting their tournament with a 70-6 win over Wales, the English found the going tough in a 78-0 loss to Australia, but Goldthorp is adamant the World Cup has provided plenty of positives for her side.

With the women’s Super League growing stronger and more England-eligible players in the NRLW, the Cowboys' player of the year sees good times ahead for the national squad.

“I am always super grateful to be selected for such a big occasion as a World Cup,” Goldthorp said.

“This is what you work towards in your career and this is the pinnacle of achieving what you've always dreamed of achieving.

“There's a lot of girls that would want to be in this position, so I'm always grateful for that.

“Obviously been four years since the last World Cup, so new faces, new energy.

“(We have experienced players too) I think the experience and the younger kids coming through, I think it definitely is a good balance for us, it makes it an exciting brand of rugby.

“We know that we've got the composure from the experience and then also just the energy of what the new kids can bring, so I think it definitely works as a good balance for us.

“There's a lot of girls within this squad that have the talent, have the drive to play in the NRLW and I think we've just got to keep working on that, keep making the Super League competitive.

“There's a lot of young kids, they've got the time to develop, they've got the drive to want to be here, and I definitely think with this, it'll give them opportunities to be able to be recognised and be able to showcase what they're about.

“You've got the two halves, you've got Jenna (Foubister) and Issy (Isabel Rowe), and I think they're definitely stepping up.

“Then you've got the likes of Connie Boyd in the centres and Eva Hunter in second row, and I think they all show attributes of playing in the NRLW and see if they get opportunities off the back of that.

“I think the last World Cup gave me that exposure, gave Georgia (Roche) that exposure, gave Holli-Mae (Dodd) that exposure, and I think this is the platform that will allow them to be seen by the people that they need to be seen by.

“I'm excited to see what they can do against the bigger teams.”