Lionesses have sent their support to the Red Roses after they have been qualified to the final.

Lionesses captain Steph Houghton tweeted: “What an achievement by the girls! So proud and excited to see you in the final. Bring it home.” Lionesses head coach Phil Neville retweeted Houghton’s tweet, adding: “Our Lionesses are right behind our Red Roses ladies. So proud of the girls.”

The Lionesses are currently preparing for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup, which will take place in the United States in February and March. The Lionesses will face Brazil, Japan and Australia in the tournament. “It’s going to be a huge challenge,” said Middleton. “They’re an excellent team, they play a really unique style of rugby and they’re very, very good at it.

“We’ll have to be at our absolute best to beat them but we’re looking forward to the challenge.” The Lionesses secured their place in the final with a hard-fought victory over Canada in the semi-final.

England were put under pressure by the fired-up Canucks but two Abby Dow tries and three penalties from Emily Scarratt secured their ticket to the final next Saturday.

The Lionesses will now face New Zealand in the final, with Head Coach Simon Middleton admitting his side will have to be at their very best against the Black Ferns.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge,” said Middleton. “They’re an excellent team, they play a really unique style of rugby and they’re very, very good at it. We’ll have to be at our absolute best to beat them but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”