England v New Zealand - Women's Rugby World Cup final Preview

England will face New Zealand in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 tournament in Belfast on Saturday. Apart from Black Ferns, no other team has managed to retain their title in the history of the tournament. Can England achieve the rare feat?

CAN ENGLAND LIVE UP TO THE FORM GUIDE?

New Zealand head all the main 2017 World Cup statistics, winning four successive games without being seriously tested, yet the form guide favours England. The significance of them beating the Black Ferns 29-21 in Rotorua just two months ago cannot be discounted, with England fielding several starting XV survivors from that game. New Zealand hold an upper hand in terms of overall meetings with England, yet any psychological advantage this weekend should be with the Red Roses.

CAN ENGLAND STOP PORTIA WOODMAN?

New Zealand's try machine has been operating with maximum efficiency during the 2017 World Cup, posting 13 touchdowns, including eight in one game against Hong Kong. The former netball player only turned to rugby in 2012, yet her try-scoring ability in the sevens and 15-a-side codes means she offers a threat to any defence. England have played against Woodman, whose father and uncle are former All Blacks, enough times to know her capability, and once again it will be about closing down any space she gets as quickly as possible.

PACK POWER IS LIKELY TO WIN THE DAY

While the likes of Woodman and gifted England runners such as Kay Wilson and Emily Scarratt will undoubtedly have their moments on Saturday, the final is set to be won up-front. England ultimately outmuscled in-form France during a physically-shattering semi-final three days ago, with their forwards all stepping up to the plate. England possess key performers in the scrum and lineout, while flanker Marlie Packer's all-round work is at a consistently prodigious level. When it comes to pack power, England might just have an edge.

GOALKICKING COULD TAKE ON EXTRA IMPORTANCE

The 2017 World Cup has seen 199 tries scored so far, but more often than not, finals are tight and cagey affairs, with goalkicking taking on an extra importance. England kicker Emily Scarratt has not had the best of tournaments off the tee, yet she is a proven performer at the highest level, which she illustrated through a command performance when the Red Roses beat Canada to be crowned world champions in Paris three years ago. If the final does become a shoot-out between Scarratt and New Zealand kicker Kendra Cocksedge, both teams are unlikely to be found wanting.