British Olympians, along with competitors in individual sports such as tennis and boxing, have long overachieved in their chosen fields. For the four home nations in team sports, winning has proved more elusive. The England cricket world cup win three years ago and then the Lionesses’ triumph at the football Euros this summer may, however, prefigure a new era of victory rather than defeat. By Monday night, it is conceivable that English teams will have bagged two more world cups and won through to the final of three more.
Early tomorrow morning England play New Zealand in the women’s rugby union world cup decider in Auckland. The Red Roses, with a staggering 30 consecutive test wins, are favourites. Yet the Black Ferns have defeated them
© Times Newspapers Limited 2022.
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.