When the scenes of celebration in the wake of England’s 21-9 win over Canada in the final of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 were plastered all over the front pages of four national newspapers, it was a game-changing moment not only for women’s rugby in the country but for all the players involved.

Once dubbed English rugby’s Jonny Wilkinson, a comparison made in her early years because of her accurate goal-kicking, intense focus and north-eastern roots, WRWC 2014-winning captain and guiding light at fly-half Katy Mclean firmly established herself as a star in her own right during the tournament in France.

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[HIGHLIGHTS] England 21-9 in WRWC 2014 final
England beat Canada 21-9 in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Paris.

Messages of congratulations from no less than Prince Harry, Downing Street and Wilkinson himself followed, so it is hardly surprising that, every now and again, Mclean finds herself reminiscing.

DREAM COME TRUE

“It really was a dream come true,” she said. “It brings a really big smile to my face, I can't believe how quickly the time has gone but when I think about it feels like yesterday. A lot of people worked so hard for that success and it was great for the game.”

Victory over Canada at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris followed a superb performance against Ireland in the semi-final and helped put the agony of several near-misses in the past to bed, including the defeat to New Zealand in the 2010 final, which Mclean experienced.

“I think we were much better prepared this time around as a management team and player group," reflected Mclean. "We dealt with the pressure, the what ifs and prepared for as much as we could control, we also acknowledged all the bits we couldn't control but were aware of them.

“We had a good balance of experience and no fear within the squad which definitely helped. Everything we talked about as a squad was how this time would be different and everyone bought into that. 

“The Ireland game also gave us a massive confidence boost, that we had found our form at the right time. We genuinely believed we could win this time.”

Mclean acknowledges that women’s rugby as a whole, not just England, came out winners after 16 days of absorbing action.

“I think it really strengthened the game, there was so much quality across the tournament, so much competition across the teams with Ireland beating New Zealand and Canada putting the hosts France out in the semi. It's shows how much the game had developed since 2010 and not just in England," she stated.

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Mclean, a former primary school teacher, was one of 20 England players to be handed a full-time professional contract following the events in Paris, and along with a select band of team-mates she represented Great Britain in rugby sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, just missing out on a medal by finishing fourth.

“It is definitely an experience I won't forget," she admitted. "As a group we worked so hard to make it into the squad and then to come fourth was pretty heart-breaking, especially after we were so close. The Olympics is a very special competition and to say that I was part of the first rugby sevens squad will be something I will look back on with pride in time.

“I think women's rugby is in a great place, the Olympics did a great job of showcasing the finest women's sevens and Australia were deserving winners of the gold.”

"Yes, that's the plan, a lot of the girls will hopefully transition back into the 15s game to prepare for 2017. The rugby calendar is so exciting now you don't really get time to have a quiet year."

WRWC 2014 winning captain Katy Mclean

IDEAL SHOWCASE

With WRWC 2017 following fast on the heels of the Olympic Games, Mclean says that can only be good for the sport, and she anticipates that Ireland, as host nation, will put on a show every bit as good as the record-breaking tournament in France.

“It’s great to have a major 15s tournament the following year to showcase that side of the game. That's crucial to keep growing our game and keeping momentum. It is having the best teams and players competing in major tournaments.

“Ireland will be great hosts, they are very passionate about the game of rugby and have a team that can really deliver with home support. I think it will be a fantastic tournament that will continue to build on the great job that London and France did.”

Now the Olympic Games is over, 30-year-old Mclean fully intends to switch back to 15s and experience a third Women’s Rugby World Cup at first hand.

“Yes, that's the plan, a lot of the girls will hopefully transition back into the 15s game to prepare for 2017. The rugby calendar is so exciting now you don't really get time to have a quiet year.”

So far England, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, Australia, Wales and Italy have qualified for WRWC 2017, which takes place from 9-26 August, with the remaining three places to be filled by the end of this year.