England number eight Alex Matthews says captaining the Red Roses in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday in front of her father – who has terminal cancer – “means everything”.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old was named skipper<\/a> for her side’s final pool match in Brighton against Australia, with regular captain Zoe Aldcroft recovering from a knee injury sustained in the opening game.<\/p>\n Having got the all-clear from prostate cancer in 2014, Matthews’ father, Dave, was diagnosed again in 2023 and this has since become terminal., external<\/a> <\/p>\n He will watch his daughter in Brighton for the first time live at this World Cup and Matthews told BBC Sport: “I think my dad will be pretty emotional.<\/p>\n “This will be my family’s first World Cup game. My dad hasn’t been too comfortable travelling far lately because he’s been ill, but he’s made it this weekend.<\/p>\n “He’s excited and now wants to come to every game – he’s definitely caught the fever.<\/p>\n “It means everything that he’ll be there to see me lead out the team. It’s something I never thought would happen, and not necessarily something I wanted to happen, but my dad always said I’ve had it in me.<\/p>\n “Him being at the game means everything, and having my mum there too.<\/p>\n “It’s also one of my oldest sister’s birthdays, so they’ve got a couple of nights away in Brighton to enjoy the atmosphere.”<\/p>\n Vice-captain and former skipper Marlie Packer replaced Aldcroft for the record win over Samoa<\/a> last Saturday, but is not in the matchday squad to face the Wallaroos.<\/p>\n Centre Megan Jones is the other vice-captain under Mitchell and, despite being named to start her third pool game, remains in her usual leadership role.<\/p>\n Matthews last captained England at WXV1 in September against the United States, when head coach John Mitchell prepared for a situation without Packer and Aldcroft.<\/p>\n