Rom-coms and slumber parties helping Red Roses relax

Rom-coms and slumber parties are helping England’s Red Roses stay relaxed ahead of their World Cup semi-final against France this weekend.

The hosts are favourites to lift the trophy at Allianz Stadium next Saturday but are not letting the weight of expectation sit too heavily on their shoulders.

Captain Zoe Aldcroft revealed some classic Hollywood cheese is helping them switch off away from training, with Channing Tatum playing an unexpectedly key role in their preparations.

“We had our bonding evening last night, so we just chilled out having a little slumber party watching Step Up,” Aldcroft said.

“We are just keeping it nice and chilled and keeping our connections going off the field as well.

"We have kept our process the same as we normally do, that is a really important thing we do. We have had a very good training week again, have got the conditions, as we are expecting some rain on Saturday again.”

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Prop Hannah Botterman, who is back in the starting XV after recovering from the injury which kept her out of the win over Scotland, hailed the film night initiative as key to keeping spirits high – though she missed out on much of the latest instalment.

“I do like that film but I really struggle to watch films I have already watched so I was in and out of there pretty quickly in my pink PJs,” she said.

“Since Mitch (John Mitchell) has come in that has been something that has been put at the forefront of the team, and everyone has bought into it.

“They're the memories, obviously you remember the playing and the games, but the off-pitch is just as an important, enjoying the fun and the company and the people you are around.

“We are seeing the rewards of that, not just as individuals but as a team on the pitch. Happy players tend to play their best rugby."

Back on the field, England have won their last 16 matches against Les Bleues, most recently easing to a hugely impressive 40-6 victory in their final warm-up match before the competition.

France, who came from behind to beat Ireland 18-13 in their quarter-final, are familiar opponents – and regularly England’s main rivals for Six Nations glory – but Aldcroft hopes her side will benefit from knowing what to expect.

"We absolutely love playing France, but I think we’re just concentrated on ourselves,” she said.

“We’ve made sure we’ve had a good training week this week and it’s semi-final rugby, so we know that they’re going to come hard at us and we’re going to go hard back."