Women's World Cup 2015: England squad guide as they open their campaign against France | Daily Mail Online comments England kick-off their Women's World Cup campaign against France on Tuesday evening, with Mark Sampson's team setting their sights on the latter stages of the tournament. It's appropriate that Moncton, a city in the east of Canada, is hosting the game seeing as most of its residents are bilingual in English and French. With England ranked sixth in the FIFA world rankings and France third, this will be a stern test of their World Cup aspirations. The England team line-up ahead of their World Cup warm-up match with Canada late last month England coach Mark Sampson and captain Steph Houghton talk to the media ahead of their opening fixture The England team get to know the Moncton Stadium, where their opening match with France takes place ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP GAMES Olympic Stadium, Montreal, 9pm Live on BBC Three and British Eurosport 2 'It's going to be a tough game, isn't it?' said Sampson in the build-up, conscious that a 3-0 loss to France at Euro 2013 cost his predecessor Hope Powell her job.

'We're playing many people's tournament favourites, we're playing against some huge individual talents. 'Now, more than they've ever had, France have got a real collective ethic as well. It's going to be a huge challenge for us, but we'll do what we always do: we'll focus on ourselves, and make sure we pick a team that can deal with France and give them as many problems as possible. 'We'll make it as difficult an afternoon as we possibly can for France, and I think we've got a group of people who can do that.' This is undoubtedly England's biggest challenge in Group F, with Mexico, ranked 25th in the world, to come on June 13, followed by Colombia, ranked 28th, on June 17. Ahead of England's opening game, which will be screened live on BBC Two at 6pm, we introduce the England lionesses. Age: 30 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2005 Total caps: 44 England’s No 1 was born and raised in California to English parents. After studying graphic design at California State University, Bardsley played football in the States and then briefly for Linkopings in Sweden.

Joined the Women’s Super League (WSL) team Lincoln Ladies (now Notts County) in 2013 and Manchester City a year later. Replaced Rachel Brown as first choice in 2011 and has 44 caps in total. Played four matches for the Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics in London. Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley makes a save during England's World Cup warm-up with host nation Canada SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN Age: 31 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2004 Total caps: 33 England’s second-choice goalkeeper has been in and around the Three Lionesses set-up for over a decade and has 33 caps. Has also played for a number of English clubs, including Chelsea, Fulham, Birmingham, Bristol Academy and current team Arsenal. She certainly has plenty of tournament experience, having been selected for three World Cups and two European Championships.

Arsenal stopper Siobhan Chamberlain makes a save during the England vs China friendly match this year CARLY TELFORD Age: 27 Club: Notts County First England cap: 2007 Total caps: 6 Hailing from the north-east, Telford became a goalkeeper after turning up to a trial in a Sunderland keepers’ jersey. Despite being an outfield player, the coach assumed she was a keeper and put her in goal. Started out with Sunderland before joining Leeds Carnegie, Chelsea and Australian side Perth Glory. Is now at Notts County. Carly Telford (left) trains alongside Karen Bardsley ahead of the friendly game with Canada Age: 27 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2007 Total caps: 54 Goals: 7 Manchester City’s Houghton will captain England at the tournament. She has played a number of positions in her career, from striker through midfield to the more familiar defensive role. Indeed, when representing Great Britain at London 2012, she scored three goals in four games despite playing at the back. Started at Sunderland in her native north-east before moving to Leeds United and then Arsenal.

Joined new WSL franchise City in 2014. Made history in October last year by becoming the first female footballer to feature on the cover of Shoot magazine. Steph Houghton, the England captain, clears the ball out of defence during the match with Canada ALEX SCOTT Age: 30 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2004 Total caps: 123 Goals: 12 A right-sided full-back who isn't afraid to get forward, Scott brings a wealth of experience to the team. She has a remarkable 123 England caps and has played at three European Championships and two World Cups, as well as for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Is currently in her third spell with Arsenal having also played one season for Birmingham in 2004-05 and two years with the Boston Breakers in the short-lived Women’s Professional Soccer league.

Alex Scott (left) chats to England coach Mark Sampson during training ahead of their World Cup opener LUCY BRONZE Age: 23 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2013 Total caps: 17 Goals: 2 Bronze, whose has the apt middle name ‘Tough’, is half-Portuguese, half-England but was born right on the border in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Although capable of playing in any position across the defensive line, she is most commonly found at right-back. Previously played for Sunderland, Everton and Liverpool, where she won back-to-back WSL titles. The second success in 2014 led to her winning the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award. She moved to ambitious Man City in 2014. England's Lucy Bronze takes on Germany's Verena Faisst during last November's international at Wembley ALEX GREENWOOD Age: 21 Club: Notts County First England cap: 2014 Total caps: 13 Goals: 1 Born in Liverpool, left-back Greenwood joined the Everton academy at the age of just eight and made her first-team debut in 2010.

She was named the FA Young Player of the Year in 2012. Ended her 13-year association with Everton last year, moving to Notts County. England's Alex Greenwood stays on her feet as Canada's Melissa Tancredi jumps in CLAIRE RAFFERTY Age: 26 Club: Chelsea First England cap: 2010 Total caps: 10 Goals: 0 Left-sided player who can operate in defence or midfield, Rafferty is the longest-serving player in the Chelsea squad. After four years with Millwall Lionesses, she moved to Chelsea in 2007 and soon became a regular starter. They finished second in last year’s WSL, missing out to Liverpool by just two goals. Having graduated in 2011 with an economics degree from Loughborough University, Rafferty works as an analyst at Deutsche Bank in the City.

Claire Rafferty plays the ball during England's recent World Cup warm-up match with Canada LAURA BASSETT Age: 31 Club: Notts County First England cap: 2003 Total caps: 49 Goals: 2 In the England set-up for 12 years, this will be Bassett’s fourth major tournament. She was the first Birmingham City player to turn out for England when she made her debut against Italy in 2003. The defender played for Birmingham in two spells and has also been at Coventry, Arsenal, Leeds and Chelsea. She signed a three-year contract with Notts County in time for the 2015 WSL season. Laura Bassett (right) chats with Steph Houghton during a training session in Moncton on Monday CASEY STONEY Age: 33 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2000 Total caps: 119 Goals: 6 Vastly experienced defender who has been capped 119 time by the national team over 15 years.

A former captain of the side, she has been selected for two European Championships and two World Cups, and also led Team GB at the 2012 Games. Returned to Arsenal in 2014 having started her senior career there and has also been at Charlton, Chelsea and Lincoln. In February 2014, Stoney came out as gay and her partner, former Lincoln team-mate Megan Harris, gave birth to twins in November last year. Casey Stoney heads the ball during England's 1-0 friendly loss to Canada last month Age: 22 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2013 Total caps: 21 Goals: 3 Another member of the squad to hail from the north-east, Nobbs was born in Stockton-on-Tees and is the daughter of former Hartlepool United player Keith Nobbs. She achieved early success with Sunderland before moving to Arsenal in 2010 at the age of 17. Made her senior England debut in the 2013 Cyprus Cup and scored in the match against Italy.

Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs holds off the challenge of Holland player Danielle van de Donk in the Cyprus Cup FARA WILLIAMS Age: 31 Club: Liverpool First England cap: 2001 Total caps: 140 Goals: 37 The midfielder is England's all-time record appearance maker with 140 caps and has been a consistent goalscorer throughout her career. This is her third World Cup in addition to three European Championships and Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Started at Chelsea before moving to Charlton and then Everton. Williams has achieved plenty in the game, winning the Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women's Cup in 2010 during her eight years with Everton. After joining city rivals Liverpool, Williams added two WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 to her medal haul.

England's record caps holder Fara Williams points the way during a recent fixture JILL SCOTT Age: 28 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2006 Total caps: 91 Goals: 13 After choosing football over long distance running as a youngster, Scott began her career at hometown club Sunderland before switching to Everton in 2006. The central midfielder spent seven years on Merseyside and won the FA Players' Player of the Year award for the 2007-08 season. Joined Manchester City in time for the 2014 season. Scott is approaching a century of caps for her country, having first worn the Three Lions shirt in 2006. Jill Scott tries to get clear of Lauren Halliday of the United States during a friendly earlier this year KATIE CHAPMAN Age: 32 Club: Chelsea First England cap: 2000 Total caps: 86 Goals: 8 Returning to the England fold after four years away, the hard-working midfielder Chapman is a popular figure who has won most honours in the game.

Hailing from Bermondsey, she started out at Millwall, the club she supports, and has since played for Fulham, Charlton, Arsenal, Chicago Red Stars and current club Chelsea. She made her first-team debut for Millwall aged just 14 and helped them win the Women's Cup and Premier League Cup in 1997. Indeed, she has won the Women's Cup on seven occasions and the WSL twice. Chapman has won 86 caps for England, having made her senior debut at just 17. Katie Chapman, who has returned to the England fold, bends the ball in a World Cup warm-up match JO POTTER Age: 30 Club: Birmingham City First England cap: 2004 Total caps: 19 Goals: 2 Potter has returned to the England set-up after seven years away, having been recalled by Mark Sampson for the friendly with Sweden in August last year. She plays in central midfield for Birmingham City in what is her third spell with the club. She has also played for Arsenal, Charlton, Everton and Leicester City. During her exile from the England team, Potter was often a pundit for BBC Sport.

Jo Potter lines up for her official portrait ahead of the World Cup finals in Canada this month JADE MOORE Age: 24 Club: Birmingham City First England cap: 2012 Total caps: 17 Goals: 1 24-year-old Moore also plays for Birmingham, having joined the club in December 2010 from Leeds United. Having represented England at under 17, under 19, under 20 and under 23 level, Moore made her senior bow in February 2012 and has a total of 17 caps. Moore also runs her own sports therapy business. England midfielder Jade Moore brings the ball forward during the Cyprus Cup match with Finland in March Age: 27 Club: Birmingham City First England cap: 2005 Total caps: 104 Goals: 23 Another old hand in the England team, with over 100 caps to her name, Carney is heading to her third World Cup finals.

The winger started out at Birmingham City but a move to Arsenal in 2006 brought tremendous success - her debut season saw the team win the Women's Premier League, Women's Cup, Premier League Cup and the UEFA Women's Cup. She moved to Chicago Red Stars to compete in the US Women's Professional Soccer league before coming back to Birmingham in 2011. Carney was the youngest player to be handed a debut during Hope Powell's 15-year reign as coach when she came off the bench against Italy in 2005. Karen Carney fights for the ball with Josee Belanger of Canada during their recent meeting in Hamilton JODIE TAYLOR Age: 29 Club: Portland Thorns First England cap: 2014 Total caps: 8 Goals: 4 The globe-trotting forward has played football in England, United States, Canada, Australia and Sweden during her career. She is currently with Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the only member of the squad to currently play overseas. Portland are the fourth North American team Taylor has turned out for following the Boston Renegades, Ottawa Fury and Washington Spirit.

A reliable goalscorer, Taylor made her England debut in the 4-0 friendly win over Sweden at Hartlepool in August last year. Jodie Taylor celebrates scoring for England in their win over China in Manchester back in April LIANNE SANDERSON Age: 27 Club: Arsenal First England cap: 2006 Total caps: 47 Goals: 15 27-year-old Sanderson has also toured the world playing her football, representing Philadelphia Independence, DC United and Boston Breakers in the United States, Espanyol in Spain and Apollon Limassol in Cyprus (on loan). Back home, she started out at Arsenal, winning a host of trophies including the UEFA Women's Cup in 2007, before moving to Chelsea in 2008. After her world tour, Sanderson re-signed for Arsenal again in November 2014. She has a good scoring record of 15 goals in 47 England appearances and returned to the set-up after the departure of Hope Powell.

Lianne Sanderson takes on the United States in a friendly international at Milton Keynes in February ENIOLA ALUKO Age: 28 Club: Chelsea First England cap: 2004 Total caps: 91 Goals: 32 Aluko was born in Lagos, Nigeria but moved to Birmingham at just one year old. She is the sister of Hull City player Sone. Her goalscoring talent blossomed at Birmingham City, where she made her debut aged just 14 and played in the 2002 Premier League Cup final aged 15. Described by her manager at Birmingham, Marcus Bignot, as the 'Wayne Rooney of women's football,' Aluko was called up for England in 2004. Her club career took her to Charlton, Chelsea, Saint Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat and Sky Blue. In 2012, she returned to Birmingham and then Chelsea a season later. Aluko became the first women to appear as a pundit on Match of the Day in September 2014 and she is a trainee solicitor away from the game.

Eniola Aluko fights for the ball with Canada's Carmelina Moscato during their recent meeting FRANCESCA KIRBY Age: 21 Club: Reading First England cap: 2014 Total caps: 9 Goals: 2 21-year-old Kirby, who is appearing in her first tournament for England, has been at Reading since the age of seven, working her way up to play for the team in the second tier of the WSL. Since 2012, she has an outstanding scoring record of 66 goals in 40 league games. Kirby scored on debut in the 4-0 win over Sweden in August last year. Fran Kirby fires home England's second goal in the friendly with China at Manchester City's Academy Stadium TONI DUGGAN Age: 23 Club: Manchester City First England cap: 2012 Total caps: 26 Goals: 14 Liverpool-born Duggan has established herself as a regular England striker and has a fine record of 14 goals in 26 outings for the national team since 2012.

She has overcome a serious knee injury this year to make Sampson's squad and plays for Manchester City, one of the favourites to win this year's WSL. She had previously come through the ranks at Everton and did likewise in the England youth set-up. England forward Toni Duggan has recovered from a serious knee injury to make the World Cup squad ELLEN WHITE Age: 26 Club: Notts County First England cap: 2010 Total caps: 51 Goals: 17 26-year-old forward White came through the Arsenal academy but left them for Chelsea aged 16. After a two-year spell at Leeds Carnegie, she returned to Arsenal in 2010 before joining Notts County last year. White has 51 caps for England and had previously been in the squad for the 2011 World Cup and Euro 2013. Also part of the Team GB squad at the 2012 London Games. Ellen White has over 50 caps for England and 17 international goals to her name AND THE COACH...

MARK SAMPSON Sampson took over as England head coach following the poor performance at the 2013 European Championships, replacing long-serving boss Hope Powell. The Welsh trainer moved over from WSL side Bristol Academy, who had just finished second to Liverpool on the final day of the 2013 season. During his five years in charge at Bristol, he led the team to two Women's Cup finals and twice into European competition. He had previously worked under Roberto Martinez at Swansea's centre of excellence. Sampson has so far taken charge of 20 England games and they have won 14 of them, including all 10 qualification matches for this World Cup. England coach Mark Sampson has been at the helm since 2013 Mark Sampson appointed England women's head coach | Football | The Guardian Mark Sampson appointed England women's head coach • 31-year-old replaces Hope Powell on four-year deal • England top of qualifying group for 2015 World Cup Mark Sampson has been appointed the new England Women's head coach.

Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Press Association Friday 6 December 2013 07.02 EST First published on Friday 6 December 2013 07.02 EST Close This article is 3 years old Mark Sampson has been appointed as the new head coach of the England Women's team, the Football Association has announced. The 31-year-old has signed a four-year deal and moves to the national set-up after a five-year spell as manager of Bristol Academy in the Women's Super League. Sampson replaces Hope Powell who was sacked in August following a group-stage exit at the European Championships, bringing an end to her 15-year reign. "I'm very proud and honoured to be offered the opportunity by the FA to manage the England Women's senior team," Sampson said.

"Women's football in England is in a fantastic place right now, with the growth and development of the game in the last few years, and I am ready to give everything I have to build a team that every English supporter can be proud of." England currently sit top of Group Six in their qualifying campaign for the 2015 World Cup with four wins out of four and no goals conceded under the caretaker manager Brent Hills. Powell's former assistant applied for the post and Sampson was quick to praise the man who has given him the perfect platform to build on when he takes charge for the next qualifier against Montenegro in April. "I am also very thankful to Brent for the excellent work he has done in helping the team get off to a winning start in the qualifying campaign for the World Cup in 2015," he added. "The aim is to build on this momentum going forwards, and I look forward to the first training camp in January. "This is a huge challenge for me personally and one in which I'm looking forward to taking on.

I hope everyone in the game can unite behind me and the squad and together we can share a new and exciting journey for women's football in England." Women's World Cup: England wanted 'to inspire a nation' with Canada win | Football | The Guardian Women's World Cup: England wanted 'to inspire a nation' with Canada win Sampson praises team’s character in fight back ‘They have shown desire I’ve never seen from England before’ Mark Sampson embraces Marieanne Spacey after England stunned Canada in front of a partisan crowd. Photograph: Matthew Lewis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Sunday 28 June 2015 01.04 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 08.48 EDT Close This article is 1 year old Mark Sampson was overjoyed to see his Lionesses become the first England team of either gender to reach a World Cup semi final since Sir Bobby Robson’s side reached the last four at Italia 90. “I’m just so proud of the players, the staff,” said England’s 32-year-old Welsh born coach after watching his players beat Canada 2-1 in front of 54,000 at BC Place.

“To get a result in front of that atmosphere, that crowd and an excellent Canadian team is unbelievable, incredible.” England 2-1 Canada | Women's World Cup quarter-final match report Read more Sampson - whose side face the holders Japan in the semi final in Edmonton on Wednesday - laughed when asked if a Welshman could prove the saviour of English football. “I’m proud of my team and of women’s football, it was an incredible performance,” he said. “It was a sell out and I’ve never been in a crowd, an atmosphere like that. We had to dig deep. Canada took us to the limit. John Herdman and his team pushed us to the wire they made us fight for every ball, defend with our lives. “This team has shown incredible character, resilience and togetherness. These players have shown a desire I’ve never seen from an England team before.” Early goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze put England two up before Christine Sinclair reduced the deficit following a goalkeeping error from Karen Bardsley. An allergic reaction which caused Bardsley’s eye to swell alarmingly, impairing her vision saw her withdrawn early in the second half. Afterwards Sampson said she had been taken to hospital and was seeing a specialist.

Happily the coach’s vision remains crystal clear. “Japan will be a huge challenge but I will pick a team to give us a chance of reaching the final,” he said. “We can be a very difficult opponent.” Whatever the result a watershed has surely been reached in the devlepoment of women’s football in England. Steph Houghton, the Lionesses’s captain summed things up rather well: “Our aim before coming out here was to inspire a nation,” she said. “Hopefully we’ve done that tonight.” John Herdman, Canada’s English coach proved magnanimous in defeat. “Our best just wasn’t good enough,” he said. “We had chances but we never put it in the back of the net. That’s football at the highest level. We got done by two bad mistakes. I’ll be beating myself up when I look back at the footage.” Not to mention Sampson’s long ball tactics. “England have a way of playing,” said Herdman in his strong north east accent. “They’re very direct and they play off set pieces. They used Jodie Taylor’s pace to go very direct. “But they got their tactics right, they worked - congratulations to Mark.

We can’t hide that we are a transitional team but we wanted to make our country proud and I think we did. All I’m going to say is stick with us - we’ll be back and fighting proud.” There were suggestions Herdman might have been courted by the Football Association before Sampson was handed the job of succeeding Hope Powell 18 months ago but, asked if he had any regrets about not returning home his answer was unequivocal. “No chance,” he said. “Ask the players where they’d rather live. Tomorrow I’ll be walking on the beach by the Pacific with my wife and kids.” Women's World Cup: Who is in England's squad for Canada? - BBC Sport BBC Sport Women's World Cup: Who is in England's squad for Canada? 11 May 2015 From the section Women's Football Share this page Several members of the England squad have been suffering with injuries in the build-up to the World Cup By Alistair Magowan and Jo Currie, BBC Sport England boss Mark Sampson has named his 23-strong squad for the Women's World Cup. Under former coach Hope Powell, England crashed out of Euro 2013 at the group stage without winning a game.

During a 100% qualifying campaign, Sampson has brought in several old faces and some new recruits, and has chosen a squad to navigate out of a group including France, Mexico and Colombia. England play their opening game in Canada - against France - on 9 June, three days after the tournament starts. With the help of former England internationals Kelly Smith, Faye White, Sue Smith and Rachel Brown-Finnis, BBC Sport analyses the strengths of the players heading to Canada. Goalkeepers Karen Bardsley Age: 30 Caps: 43 Club: Manchester City Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis: "Karen's not had a lot of game time after recently being banned for fighting with an opponent and getting injured but is likely to be England's number one for the opening game against France. She has made errors in England's opening games for the past two major tournaments, but she will have put them well behind her and will want to prove herself as one of the best in the world." Did you know? Born and raised in California to English parents, she moved to Lincoln Ladies in 2011 and joined Manchester City in 2013.

Siobhan Chamberlain Age: 31 Caps: 33 Club: Arsenal Brown-Finnis: "She's certainly got ambitions to start for England but has maybe slipped down the pecking order after losing her place in the Arsenal team and picking up an injury. After featuring in the Cyprus Cup in March and in the last friendly against China, she would have been hoping to kick on and play part in the World Cup but that could depend more on others." Did you know? Chamberlain not only shares the same name as Arsenal men's winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they were also both born on 15 August. Carly Telford Age: 27 Caps: 5 Club: Notts County Brown-Finnis: "You could easily make a case for Carly starting as England's number one. She's injury-free, bang in form and was named in the PFA team of the year after her superb displays for Notts County. Perhaps she doesn't have as much experience at international level but, on current form, she cannot be doing any more to influence Mark Sampson's thinking." Did you know?

Telford first played in goal after turning up to a trial in a Sunderland goalkeeper's top that her mum bought her. Despite playing outfield, the coach assumed she was a keeper and she has stuck to that position ever since. Defenders Steph Houghton Age: 27 Caps: 53 Goals: 7 Club: Manchester City Former England captain Faye White: "It will be her first major tournament as captain so it will be a big role to fill. There are a lot more demands on you as skipper at a World Cup. The fact she is coming back injury will be hard for her but I'm sure she will be able to handle it as she's a strong character and one of our best centre-halves." Did you know? Houghton scored in all three of Great Britain's group matches in the London Olympics, finishing as the team's top scorer despite playing in defence. Alex Scott Age: 30 Caps: 123 Goals: 12 Club: Arsenal White: "She has more competition at right-back now Lucy Bronze has played there for England and it is great to have cover.

She is one of the few across the backline with major tournament experience and has shown she can cope with some of the best players in the world." Did you know? Scott is known as the team DJ, often organising the music in the dressing room before kick-off. Lucy Bronze Age: 23 Caps: 16 Goals: 2 Club: Manchester City White: "Lucy has adapted to international football well and, even though she prefers the full-back role, she will probably be seen by Mark Sampson as a centre-half in this tournament. She has been out with a knee injury but she has come back from serious problems before so has the resilience to match her consistency." Did you know? Bronze had never seen a match at Wembley, let alone played one, before she featured in England's defeat by Germany last November in front of record crowd. Alex Greenwood Age: 21 Caps: 12 Goals: 1 Club: Notts County White: "Has the flexibility to play at centre-back or left-back but, for me, the former is her best position as she can be exposed out wide.

She is young so still learning in an international shirt and the World Cup will be great experience for her." Did you know? Greenwood joined Everton as an eight-year old and ended her 13-year association with the team by joining Notts County last January. Claire Rafferty Age: 26 Caps: 9 Goals: 0 Club: Chelsea White: "Claire played in the 2011 World Cup but has suffered two serious knee injuries since. She hasn't played many times for England as a result but her greater experience should see her make the squad and she will be favourite to start in the left-back position." Did you know? Rafferty combines playing football at Chelsea with working as an analyst at Deutsche Bank in the City. Laura Bassett Age: 31 Caps: 49 Goals: 2 Club: Notts County White: "Pace might not be one of Laura's strengths but she is a great professional and has major tournament experience. She is great for the squad: very determined and a chatty character to pick the team up. She will probably be reserve behind Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze." Did you know?

Bassett is renowned for keeping her team-mates on their toes by being the squad's quiz master. Casey Stoney Age: 32 Caps: 118 Goals: 6 Club: Arsenal White: "She won't be starting many games but her experience and her ability will shine through at a tournament like this. Being selected in the PFA team of the year shows the players still rate her and her reading of the game is a big asset. She is a great player to have alongside you at centre-back, as I know." Did you know? Stoney publicly came out as gay last year and has recently had twins with partner, former Lincoln Ladies team-mate Megan Harris. Midfielders Jordan Nobbs Age: 22 Caps: 21 Goals: 3 Club: Arsenal Former England winger Sue Smith: "I know she's been struggling a little bit with injuries but she's a quality player. Jordan is someone who's come into her own over the past year. She's always had potential but now she's starting to live up to it. Good with the ball at her feet and can make things happen." Did you know?

Nobbs is the daughter of former Hartlepool player Keith Nobbs, who played for the north-east side in the 1980s. Fara Williams Age: 31 Caps: 139 Goals: 37 Club: Liverpool Sue Smith: "She's got the experience and the quality. She's been there and done it. I think she plays well as a deeper-lying midfielder in the formation that Mark wants to play. She can get the ball and spread it out wide so Fara would be the first name on the teamsheet for me." Did you know? Williams was homeless for six years while playing for England and kept it secret from her team-mates. She is now England's record cap holder. Jill Scott Age: 28 Caps: 90 Goals: 13 Club: Manchester City Sue Smith: "I know Jill has been suspended for the past three Manchester City games for headbutting an opponent but she's still played lots of football at her club this season so I don't think it'll affect her at all. She just offers something different with her height and athleticism. She's been playing particularly well over the past two seasons." Did you know?

Had to choose between being a long-distance runner or a footballer when she was young. Katie Chapman Age: 32 Caps: 85 Goals: 8 Club: Chelsea Sue Smith: "She was out of the squad for a few years but now she's back and playing really well for Chelsea. I think she gives a bit of strength in there, a bit of doggedness. Sometimes you need that competitiveness in midfield. She could be that one that sits in front of the defence and makes it difficult." Did you know? Back in the England reckoning after a four-year absence after claiming she was told she could not have time off to look after her children. Jo Potter Age: 30 Caps: 19 Goals: 2 Club: Birmingham City Sue Smith: "Another player who has done well to get back in the England squad. A player that has gone continually and consistently about her business. She's got the vision that Fara Williams has but is left-footed. Mark's played her in a few games and she gives you something different from the others." Did you know? Potter's recall to the England squad comes after a seven-year absence. She is also is an FA skills coach.

Jade Moore Age: 24 Caps: 16 Goals: 1 Club: Birmingham City Sue Smith: "She gets stuck in, gives 100% all of the time and works really hard on her fitness. You need that when you're playing against the likes of Germany and France, who've got good technical players. You need someone who's going to close them down really quickly and stop them playing and that's what she can do. She's got that pace and work ethic that some of the other midfielders don't have." Did you know? In addition to playing football, Moore owns her own sports therapy business. Karen Carney Age: 27 Caps: 103 Goals: 23 Club: Birmingham City Sue Smith: "She's suffered from injuries this year and that's my only concern with Karen, but we know what she can do. She's got that experience and been to a lot of major tournaments. She's got the ability to change a game, like Kelly Smith was able to." Did you know? Earlier this year, Carney became the first women's footballer to be inducted into Birmingham City's Hall of Fame.

Forwards Jodie Taylor Age: 28 Caps: 8 Goals: 4 Club: Portland Thorns Former England forward Kelly Smith: "She is a very intelligent player, her runs are very clever and if she can be picked out, then she is lethal. She is a proven goalscorer in and around the box. She's benefited from the confidence Mark Sampson has instilled in her and I think now is the time for her to shine on the world stage." Did you know? Taylor is one of most well-travelled players in the squad, having represented clubs in Boston, Ottawa, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Sydney and Gothenburg. She scored a hat-trick in her fifth England game. Lianne Sanderson Age: 27 Caps: 46 Goals: 15 Club: Arsenal Kelly Smith: "Mark Sampson has shown great faith in her since he's been in the role. She's a big player and personality in the squad, she's fun to be around and good for morale. It's difficult to know if she will start but she needs a quicker player to play around her, so she can turn and play a through-ball in behind the opposition defence.

Playing in a World Cup will be her dream." Did you know? Another player back in the reckoning after Sampson took over from Powell. Sanderson quit the team in 2010 because of a fall-out with the former England boss. Eniola Aluko Age: 28 Caps: 90 Goals: 32 Club: Chelsea Kelly Smith: "Eni hasn't started the past couple of England games, but that might be an indication that Mark knows what she brings to the team. Her pace is always a threat and makes opposition defences drop deeper, thereby creating space in midfield. She has also shown she can score goals in major tournaments and this will be her third World Cup." Did you know? Aluko qualified as a sports and entertainment lawyer last year, and intends to represent players when she retires. Fran Kirby Age: 21 Caps: 8 Goals: 2 Club: Reading Kelly Smith: "She has dominated Women's Super League 2, scoring freely and taking on three or four players at a time but international football is almost a different game. You have less time and space and you have to use your physical presence a lot more.

Fran will go into the World Cup quite unknown so that could be to her advantage, but playing such competitive games in such a short space of time might also be a struggle. She has great potential and I like to watch her play." Did you know? Kirby quit playing football four years ago after suffering from depression following the death of her mother. Toni Duggan Age: 23 Caps: 25 Goals: 14 Club: Manchester City Kelly Smith: "An early-season knee injury hasn't helped her prospects with Jodie Taylor and Fran Kirby having started to make their mark. But the timing of her return has been good and she showed her goal prowess at Euro 2013. She probably needs a bit more game time to improve her sharpness." Did you know? Duggan scored the Women's Super League's goal of the season in 2014 with a stunning volley against Chelsea, which helped deny the London team the league title. Ellen White Age: 25 Caps: 50 Goals: 17 Club: Notts County Kelly Smith: "She hasn't played any sustained international football for a long while because of a knee injury, but she has energy and enthusiasm.

She has been hard to ignore because she has been scoring goals for Notts County this season and she has worked extremely hard to get back in the reckoning. Ellen has the experience of playing and scoring at the 2011 World Cup and she's a good team-mate to have around. " Did you know? White was the scorer of a famous free-kick for Notts County which became an internet sensation. Find out how to watch the 2015 Women's World Cup on the BBC. Share this page

Question: Who currently coaches England’s women team?
Answer: Mark Sampson