World Cup: Round One Previews

Order of games on Day One

13:00     New Zealand V Kazakhstan (Pool B)15:00     Canada V Spain (Pool A)15:45     Australia V South Africa (Pool C)17:00     USA V Ireland (Pool B )18:00     England  V Samoa (Pool A)20:45     France  V Wales (Pool C)

Pool A Facts and FiguresPool B Facts and FiguresPool C Facts and Figures

New Zealand v Kazakhstan

The World Champions will be runaway favourites for the opener and the game gives head coach Brian Evans a chance to make full use of the 22 players named.

New Zealand begin this World Cup with their best ever preparation under their belt with more warm up games than ever before and with the inclusion of effectively professional athletes from their 7s ranks, like a number of other sides.

While we may not learn a huge amount about how they have progressed in the last few years from this opening clash, it could be a very long 80 minutes for the Kazakhs.

The Kazakhs have in comparison had no warm up games and in the toughest of pools, this is the most difficult opener they could have been handed. They are however almost always a bruising side and as opponents from 2010 can vouch for, the Kiwis will know they have been in a game.

NZ coach Brian Evans said: "We don't know a lot about Kazakhstan but they played in the last World Cup and we know that they are big and fit so we need to be prepared because we know that teams bring something extra when they play against the black jersey."

New Zealand have certainly named a strong side and the centre pairing of Amiria Rule and Huriana Manuel in particular will be worth watching - both players bring huge experience.

Prediction:New Zealand with plenty to spare

New Zealand:1 Ruth McKay, 2 Fiao'o Fa'amausili (C)  , 3 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox , 4 Eloise Blackwell, 5 Sanita Levave , 6 Rawinia Everitt , 7 Justine Lavea , 8 Casey Robertson, 9 Kendra Cocksedge , 10 Kelly Brazier , 11 Halie Tiplady-Hurring , 12 Amiria Rule , 13 Huriana Manuel , 14 Shakira Baker. 15 Selica WiniataReplacements:16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate , 17 Aleisha Nelson , 18 Linda Itunu , 19 Aroha Savage, 20 Emma Jensen , 21 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali , 22 Honey Hireme

Kazakhstan: 1 Natalya Kamendrovskaya , 2 Irina Radzivil , 3 Yelena Muradova , 4 Lyudmila Matiyeva, Svetlana Karatygina , 6 Yelena Yevdokimova , 7 Marianna Balashova , 8 Symbat Zhamankulova, Amina Baratova , 10 Svetlana Klyuchnikova , 11 Nigora Nurmatova , 12 Kundyzay Baktybayeva , 13 Anna Yakovleva (C) , 14 Veronika Stepanyuga , 15 Aigerym DaurembayevaReplacements:16 Olga Sazonova, 17 Yelena Rogacheva , 18 Yelena Kiryushina , 19 Anastassiya Khamova , 20 Karina Proskurina , 21 Balzhan Koishybayeva , 22 Oxana Shardina

Canada v Spain

A vital pool clash in a difficult group, neither side can afford to lose this with England looming in the following rounds.

Canada are one of the sides many are tipping for a final berth and certainly with their form and recent experience, anything but a semi-final would be a surprise. That means though, first overcoming a very quick and daring Spanish side who have plenty to prove as a 15s force.

Canada start as favourites but the Spanish have players in their ranks who can score from anywhere and they will be a major threat on the counter in particular.

Canada have named a strong line-up and will surely benefit from having played a host of top women’s rugby nations since last year’s Nations Cup campaign, including New Zealand, Australia, England, France, South Africa and USA.“We’re expecting Spain to play a lot of rugby tomorrow with a lot of ball in play, fast pace and a lot of running, similar to the style we play and they play with no fear,” said Canada coach Francois Ratier.

Spain have named a side packed with pace as expected but up front Angela Del Pan and  Ana Maria Aigneren are also real handfuls.

Prediction:Canada to be too powerful in the end.Canada:1. Laura Russell, 2. Kim Donaldson, 3. Hilary Leith, 4. Maria Samson, 5. Latoya Blackwood, 6. Barbara Mervin, 7. Karen Paquin, 8. Kelly Russell, Captain, 9. Stephanie Bernier,  10. Emily Belchos, 11. Julianne Zussman, 12. Andrea Burk, 13. Mandy Marchak, 14. Magali Harvey, 15. Elissa AlarieReplacements:16. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, 17. Olivia DeMerchant, 18. Kayla Mack, 19. Jacey Murphy,  20. Julia Sugawara,  21. Brittany Benn, 22. Jessica Dovanne,

Spain:1 Maria Sequedo, 2 Aroa Gonzalez, 3 Elena Redondo, 4 Lourdes Alameda, 5 Maria Ribera, 6 Paula Medin, 7 Angela Del Pan, 8 Ana Maria Aigneren (C)  9 Barbara Pla, 10 Vanesa Rial, 11 Eli Martinez, 12 Marina Bravo, 13 Patricia Garcia, 14 Berta García, 15 Marta CabaneReplacements:16 Isabel Rico, 17 Rocio Garcia, 18 Diana Gasso, 19 Maria Casado, 20 Irene Schiavon, 21 Helen Roca, 22 Africa Felez

Australia v South Africa

This should be a fascinating clash if only because we know little about both side’s form going into this.

Australia did play warmup games in New Zealand recently (their only matches since finishing third at the World Cup in 2010) but were without a number of players who will play a key role here, including captain Shannon Parry. They will be better for the experience they have since added to the squad but there is always a bit of the unknown about the Australians who we see so rarely between tournaments.

South Africa have enjoyed good warmup preparation with games against the Nomads – two wins – and France, but history is not on their side in this particular fixture – they have met Australia, each of their past World Cups, losing 68-12 and 62-0.

They have however named side with lots of experience. Nine players in the 22 played at the 2010 World Cup with five also at the 2006 World Cup.

“Our approach for this World Cup is horses for courses, and we believe that this team is best suited to the way we would like to play against Australia,” said Samoa head coach Lawrence Sephaka. “This match-22 has a good mix of youth and experience, which is ideal. The World Cup experience is particularly important because this is a big occasion for the team and for the individuals, so it is important to have players who can guide the youngsters when necessary.”

Australia have named a side which is somewhat experience up front but has real pace and power in the backs with the likes of Cobie-Jane Morgan and Sharni Williams alongside Tui Ormsby provding real experience in attack.

Prediction: Australia to take this one out.

Australia: 1 Oneata Schwalger , 2 Louise Burrows , 3 Caroline Vakalahi , 4 Rebecca Clough, 5 Alicia Hewett, 6 Dalena Dennison , 7 Shannon Parry (C) , 8 Mollie Gray , 9 Nita Maynard , 10 Tui Ormsby, 11 Natasha Haines , 12 Cobie-Jane Morgan , 13 Sharni Williams , 14 Madeline Putz, 15 Ashleigh HewsonReplacements:16 Margaret Watson , 17 Liz Patu , 18 Michelle Milward , 19 Chloe Buttler, 20 Ashley Marsters , 21 Hanna Sio , 22 Tricia Brown

South Africa:15 – Cindy Cant, 14 – Veroeshka Grain, 13 – Benele Makwezela, 12 – Lorinda Brown, 11 – Phumeza Gadu 10 – Zenay Jordaan (vice-captain), 9 – Tayla Kinsey, 8 – Mandisa Williams (captain), 7 – Vuyolwethu Vazi 6 – Lamla Momotil 5 – Cindy Booi, 4 – Celeste Adonis, 3 – Cebisa Kula, 2 – Denita Wentzel, 1 – Asithandile NtoyantoReplacements:16 – Thantaswa Macingwana, 17 – Nwabisa Ngxatu, 18 – Andrea Mentoor, 19 – Shona-Leah Weston, 20 – Fundiswa Plaatjie, 21 – Zandile Nojoko,, 22 – Siviwe Basweni

Ireland v USA

This promises to be a fascinating clash between the sides who beat each other once apiece at the last World Cup.

With both sides expecting to beat Kazakhstan, this one is vital in terms of getting out of the pool that also hosts the World Cup champions and favourites.  USA hold the advantage here with four wins in five games against the Irish, but the latter are without doubt the most improved side in the world since 2010.

Ireland’s starting lineup for this one includes 14 players with a Grand Slam medal from the 2013 6 Nations so they bring a wealth of winning experience to the table.

Speaking of his selection head coach Philip Doyle said "The team selection was a difficult one, we are in a very lucky position of having a strong squad to pick from.”

USA have named an experienced side with the likes of Jamie Burke, Jillion Potter, Jocelyn Tseng, and Vanesha McGee. Kate Daley will captain the team with regular captain Shaina Turley taking a spot on the bench.

Prediction:An extremely difficult game to call but we’re going Ireland by a narrow marginUSA:1-15:  Hope Rogers, Katy Augustyn, Jamie Burke, Carmer Farmer, Sarah Walsh, Jillion Potter, Lynelle Kugler, Kate Daley (C) Jocelyn Tseng, Kimber Rozier, Sadie Anderson, Emilie Bydwell, Bui Baravilala, Vanesha McGee, Meya BizerReplacements:Sarah Chobot, Kittery Wagner, Sarah Wilson, Sharon Blaney, Shaina Turley, Deven Owsiany, Hannah Stolba

Ireland:15. Niamh Briggs  14. Ashleigh Baxter  13. Lynne Cantwell 12. Grace Davitt  11. Alison Miller  10. Nora Stapleton  9. Tania Rosser 1. Fiona Coghlan 2. Gillian Bourke 3. Ailis Egan 4. Sophie Spence 5. Marie Louise Reilly  6. Siobhan Fleming 7. Claire Molloy 8. Heather O'BrienReplacements:16. Sharon Lynch  17. Fiona Hayes 18. Laura Guest 19. Paula Fitzpatrick 20. Larissa Muldoon 21. Jenny Murphy 22. Jackie ShielsEngland v Samoa

Katy Mclean will captain England in the opener and at the same time earn her 70th cap for her country.

Prop Laura Keates, scrum-half Natasha Hunt and wing Lydia Thompson are all set to make their World Cup debuts as will Victoria Fleetwood, Marlie Packer, Ceri Large and Kay Wilson if they come off the bench.

Coach Gary Street said: "We have named a strong squad with 15 players having had World Cup experience under their belts already. That is going to give us a good mental edge for the start of the campaign.

England should be too strong for the inexperienced Samoans, a side who they have met and beaten only once in their history, and expect Street to make wise use of his bench.

Samoa have had a tough buildup with just four games since 2010, though the influence of players who ply their trade in New Zealand will give a physical side some added nous.

Prediction: England with something to spare

Samoa:1 Tessa Wright, 2 Sharlene Fagalilo, 3 Ala Leavasa-Bakulich, 4 Italia Tipelu, 5 Cynthia Taala (C) , 6 Sally Kaokao, 7 Rita Lilii, 8 Helen Collins, 9 Tulua Leuluaialii, 10 Bella Milo, 11 Justine Luatua , 12 Mac Collins, 13 Merenaite Faitala-Mariner, 14 Brenda Collins, 15 Soteria PulumuReplacements: 16 Ginia Muavae, 17 Laura Levi, 18 Cynthia Apineru, 19 Juliana Sua, 20 Roxy Leaupepe, 21 Taliilagi Mefi , 22 Mele Leuluaialii

England:15 Danielle Waterman 14 Katherine Merchant 13 Emily Scarratt 12 Rachael Burford 11 Lydia Thompson 10 Katy Mclean 9 Natasha Hunt 1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Emma Croker 3 Laura Keates, 4 Joanna McGilchrist 5 Tamara Taylor 6 Heather Fisher 7 Margaret Alphonsi 8 Sarah HunterReplacements:16 Victoria Fleetwood 17 Claire Purdy 18 Rebecca Essex 19 Marlie Packer 20 La Toya Mason 21  Ceri Large 22 Kay Wilson

Wales v France

Glancing at both team selections for the opener, it could be concluded that both sides haven't fully shown their cards.

The French forwards, who were dominant throughout 2014, are pretty much as expected but there are some first choice pack members starting on the bench, perhaps as you might expect against a side they beat 27-0 earlier this year.  The back selection is a little more surprising with Camille Grassineau starting and neither Elodie Guiglion nor Jessy Tremouliere making the 22. It is an exciting side though.

Wales coach Rhys Edwards has also sprung a few surprise selections. Established props Jenny Davies and Catrin Edwards will start the game from the bench while impressive youngster Robyn Wilkins is also on the bench. Wing Adi Taviner who was out of the game for two years until she returned to international level when returning to Welsh ranks for the World Cup warm-up games against USA and Ireland, starts.

Prediction:Wales are capable here of upsetting the odds but with the home crowd behind them, France should be too strong.

Wales:15 Laurie Harries 14 Adi Taviner 13 Elen Evans 12 Rebecca de Filippo 11 Phil Tuttiett 10 Elinor Snowsill 9 Amy Day 8 Sioned Harries 7 Rachel Taylor 6 Catrina Nicholas 5 Shone Powell-Hughes 4 Jenny Hawkins 3 Megan York  2 Lowri Harries 1 Caryl ThomasReplacements: 16 Carys Phillips  17 Jenny Davies 18 Catrin Edwards  19 Nia Davies 20 Sian Moore, 21 Robyn Wilkins 22 Dyddgu Hywel

France1. EZANNO Hélène 2. MIGNOT Gaëlle (c)  3. CHOBET Christelle  4. DE NADAI Marine 5. KOÏTA Assa  6. DIALLO Coumba 7. GRAND Laetitia  8. N’DAYE Safi  9. TRONCY Jennifer  10. AGRICOLE Sandrine  11. GRASSINEAU Camille 12. MAYANS Marjorie Saint, 13. IZAR Shannon  14. LIEVRE Marion 15. LADAGNOUS CarolineReplacements:16. ARRICASTE Lise 17. PORTARIES Elodie  18. ANDRE Manon  19. DJOUSSOUVI Koumiba  20. POUBLAN Elodie 21. LEDUFF Christelle , 22. RIVOALEN Yanna