Pool C Preview

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The French women's team are just like their men's team - unpredictable.

France regularly mix the sublime with the downright poor and this season was no different. A loss to Scotland in the 6 Nations was a real shock as the team are simply far superior to the Scots on paper.

However lose they did and despite winning their remaining three games they needed to beat England on the last day of the competition to stop the English from winning the grand slam - and how close they came.

The real France showed up that day and a great game in tough conditions saw England cling on by just a point after a real scare. If the real France show up, they are well capable of finishing top of their pool ahead of Canada who will be their nearest rivals but it's France so you never know.

: The winger was a real thorn in Ireland's side this year scoring a brace of tries as her pace proved too hot to handle. If France can get the ball in her hands she can do damage.

. While France will have something to prove against Scotland, Canada are closer to their ability and they simply must win that game if they are to top the pool.

Canada will feel lucky that they pulled pool three out of the hat. France, Scotland and Sweden await but the Canadians are good enough to beat all three if they are on top form.

Canada beat France last year on an overseas tour and while they won't know much about the Scots or the Swedes, they are certainly strong enough to win those two making their French clash the highlight of the pool.

Canada have had good form of late, beating the USA twice in June so they come to London confident. They also come to the competition following their best ever World Cup preparation and they are a solid team throughout with strong set-pieces and pacy backs.

: Heather Moyse. Moyse was the top try scorer at the last World Cup and in the intervening four years she's picked up an Olympic gold medal for Bobsleigh showing just what an all round athlete she is. Her return to the national team earlier this summer coincided with her scoring a try against the USA and the fullback/winger will be a player to watch for sure.

: V France. As above Canada have to beat France keep on track for a semi-final spot. They beat them last year so hopes will be high.

It's been a mixed year for the Scots who have mixed real highs with disappointing lows. The season got off to a super start when they beat France on home soil but they failed to win again in the competition. Two matches against South Africa a few months later were meant to restore some much needed confidence but the South Africans came to Scotland and won both test games leaving Gary Parker with a lot of work to do with his squad before the World Cup. The Scots did beat Ireland in a training game in recent weeks so their hard work may be paying off and Scotland, on their day, can beat any of the teams in tHeir pool.

. Millard is Scotland's backline spark and can score tries out of nowhere. Her quick feet and pace make her a tough player to mark and she regularly pops up with crucial scores for her side.

: . Scotland know they are capable of beating France but if the real France show up they won't be able to live with their pace, so it is to Canada they will look for a vital victory in the battle for the top two.

The surprise inclusion at this World Cup, Sweden will have nothing to prove in their pool and for that reason it's hard to know what to expect. To prepare for the World Cup, the Swedes took part in the recent FIRA European 7s and 15s competitions in France Moscow and they also travelled to London last week to play against club side Wasps to get a feel for playing in London. Recent results and form suggest they will struggle against the likes of France but they showed through qualifying for the World Cup that they are capable of winning when it matters and they will no doubt be targeting a least one pool win.

. The Swedish captain is very much the face and leader on this team and has been blogging about her side's preparation for months. Hall is also one of the most experienced Swedish players and played at the World Cup in 1998. Her ability to lead her team into three tough early games will be key.

:. The Scots will be the team that the Swedish will feel they have their best shot at victory against.