| Jo Yapp | The 2006 Six Nations Grand Slam winners, who are ranked second for the tournament behind the reigning World champions the Black Ferns, will be led by Worcester scrum-half Jo Yapp. Jo, whose family farm in Clee Hill, is a P.E. teacher at Bewdley High School. This is her 3rd World Cup after representing England in Holland in 1998 and Spain in 2002. England prepared for the tournament with a three week programme in England and five days training in Calgary. Throughout the tournament BBC Hereford and Worcester will be running an exclusive diary from Jo in Canada. |
Jo Yapp diary: Thursday 31 August Thursday was the day of our first World Cup game and I am pleased to report that, despite some things not going to plan in the first-half, we came away with an 18-0 win. We had to fight for every inch out there against the US Eagles. Their physicality was immense, but to come through it in the end and get the victory that we did, leaves us very pleased. We lost Karen Andrew early in the game and that was a blow, but Shelley Rae is a more than capable replacement as she showed as soon as she got on the field. Overall the team showed tremendous guts and determination to get through this game and win 18-0, but I would like to make a special mention to Katy Storie who made her debut and Kim Oliver who scored her first England try. Rochelle Clark also had a great try. Next up, South Africa! ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP SCHEDULE: August 31 England v USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton. KO 5pm local time. September 4 England v South Africa at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton. KO 2.30pm local time. September 8 England v France at St. Albert RFC, Edmonton. KO 5pm local time. September 12 - Semi-finals: 1st v 4th (M19), St. Albert. KO 5pm local time. 2nd v 3rd (M20), Ellerslie Rugby Park. KO 5pm local time. 5th v 8th (M21), St. Albert. KO 2.30pm local time. 6th v 7th (M22), Ellerslie Rugby Park. KO 2.30pm local time. 9th v 12th (M23), St. Albert. KO 12pm local time. 10th v 11th (M24), Ellerslie Rugby Park. KO 12pm. September 16 - Consolation Finals (All Ellerslie Rugby Park): Loser M21 v Loser M22. KO 5pm. Winner M23 v Winner M24. KO 2.30pm. Loser M23 v Loser M24. KO 12pm. September 17 - Finals (All at the Commonwealth Stadium) Winner M21 v Winner M 22. KO 12pm. Loser M19 v Loser M20. KO 2.30pm. Winner M19 v Winner M20. KO 5pm. | 
