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England coach John Mitchell hailed his latest captain Alex Matthews as ‘superhuman’ and warned his team’s World Cup rivals the dominant Red Roses are only just getting started.
Mitchell has seen England dismantle the USA and Samoa in their two pool-stage matches so far but believes there is far more to come as the tournament heats up.
Australia are their next opponents in Brighton on Saturday with No 8 Matthews named as skipper in the absence of injured leader Zoe Aldcroft. The Wallaroos have never beaten England in a women’s Test.
Mitchell described Matthews as ‘one of the best No 8’s in the world’ and added: ‘She has demonstrated excellence for a long period of time.
‘I love leaders other players can follow through their actions.
‘We just happen to have a superhuman that's highly respected and a world-class player that demonstrates her performances through her actions.
Alex Matthews will captain England against Australia and has been described as 'superhuman'
England are the World Cup favourites and face Australia next in Brighton on Saturday
ENGLAND TEAM NEWS
England Women’s team to face Australia (Saturday, 5pm): Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward, Morwenna Talling, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews (capt)
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Lilli Ives Campion, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland
‘We know this will be more of a challenge. Australia have improved.’
Mitchell made wholesale changes for the 92-3 annihilation of part-time side Samoa.
But his team for Australia is close to full strength and another handsome win is expected.
England are firm favourites for global glory on home soil and a third straight tournament success would see them reach the quarter-finals as Pool A winners, as expected.
Matthews, who is playing at her fourth World Cup and lifted the trophy in 2014, is England's third skipper in as many games.
Marlie Packer, left out altogether this weekend, did the job against Samoa with Aldcroft leading in the opening USA match prior to her knee problem.
Aldcroft is expected to be back fit for England’s quarter-final.
Scotland, who face Canada today on Saturday, are their most likely opponents.
‘It is not about making wholesale changes. It is about cohesion and it is about belief being built,’ Mitchell said.
‘There is two-and-a-half or three years of experience in this group.
We've really only just got started, so that's the exciting bit. We're on a mission to hunt our next opponent and earn the right to the next stages. That's where our focus is.'
