Women’s Rugby World Cup: England head coach Simon Middleton found reaction to France game ‘hilarious’ as Red Roses respond in style
England head coach Simon Middleton laughed off the criticism his side faced after last week’s victory over France as they breezed past South Africa on Sunday.
The Red Roses came into their third match on the back of a tight 13-7 win over France, with some quarters believing they were disappointing in that game.
But they responded to those doubters in clinical style on Sunday as they crushed South Africa 75-0 to seal a quarter-final date with Australia next weekend.
Reaction was hilarious
Middleton admitted he was surprised by the negative reaction to their second game showing, which was always going to be the key fixture in their group.
“I thought the reaction after the France game was hilarious. It blew my mind to be honest,” Middleton told ITV following their latest World Cup triumph.
“It was pretty disrespectful to France because they are the best defensive side in the world. They have some great players and that was a real arm wrestle of a Test match.
“There were a lot of nerves because everyone knew what was at stake, and now that’s all unravelled.
“Winning the game was absolutely essential and we won the game categorically on everything but the scoreboard.
“We worked on some things during the week and they were really evident in the game against South Africa. We ticked some real boxes that we’d worked hard on.
“It’s been a tough week for us. We got a great result and we’re absolutely thrilled.
“We talked about being more expressive in the second half and playing in the space that we were being given. You see we can play a bit when we open up.”
13 tries scored in all
Hat-tricks from Rosie Galligan and Connie Powell as well tries from Poppy Cleall (2), Sadia Kabeya (2), Marlie Packer, Shaunagh Brown and Abby Dow saw England cruise to victory, a result that pleased skipper Packer as they now build towards the last eight.
“We’re super happy. We said it would take the whole 23 to get the job done and that’s what happened. I’m super proud to lead this team out and get the result that we did,” said the flanker.
“What makes it for me is the support of the girls around me and the support I get from my family back home and here. It’s a massive honour for the coaches to believe in me.”
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