ANDY ROBINSON OBE today sent a message of support to the England women's rugby team as they bid to become World Champions tonight.

England play New Zealand in the final of the IRB Rugby World Cup at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in what will be a re-run of the 2002 tournament finale.

Head coach Robinson, part of the coaching team when England's men won the men's World Cup in Australia back in 2003, is backing Geoff Richards' side to return from Canada triumphant.

"Everyone in the England set-up wishes the women well and we will be thinking of them as we watch on Sunday," said Robinson.

"To reach a World Cup final is a great achievement but Geoff Richards and his team will be desperate to take that final step to become World Champions, especially having lost to the Black Ferns four years ago."

England may include three players from Worcester in their starting line-up - captain and scrum-half Jo Yapp, Kim Shaylor and fellow wing Nicola Crawford.

RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew, himself a World Cup finalist in 1991, said: "Sunday will be culmination of four years' hard work for England's women and we really hope they win.

"They have done really well to get to the final but it won't be enough for them - they'll want to come home with the top prize."

England reached the final after a tough 20-14 victory over hosts Canada, while New Zealand trounced France 40-10 in a one-sided second semi-final.