It feels really good to have beaten a strong Scotland side to book our place in the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2025. We've got a six-day turnaround this week, which means we had a bit more time on our own to chill out on Monday and that's quite important.
In terms of what I get up to in order to switch off, I have been binge watching The Handmaid's Tale. I started season one at the start of World Cup, and I've already finished season six so it's fair to say that I got a bit obsessed with it! A lot of girls do scrapbooking, a few girls like to go out for a walk and some go for coffee. It's just about what's fun and right for you on your day off, it might be really boring and dull for some people, but that's my way of switching off and keeping my feet up and making sure that I'm best prepared for the next day's training.
Obviously the pastime that has caught the most attention is crochet club, led by Abby Dow. I can't say I am a member of the club, but I used to be next to Abby in the changing room when we were in pre-season, and I remember her talking to me for the first time about wanting to do crochet and to bring it to the Red Roses. She's now gone on to make this incredible site for herself, and she's also sharing it with team members from the opposition. For Abby to be able to put her passion alongside rugby has just been really great to see, and it's really brought out a different side to her that we didn't really know much about before.
There are some other players who do a lot for our culture like Jess Breach, Maud Muir, and May Campbell, but everyone in their own way is doing what they can to make sure that this environment is positive. This being a World Cup, there is going to be disappointment when it comes to selection with everyone wanting to play, but everyone's been so good in supporting each other in whatever role they've got, and making sure we lift each other going into each game. We're actually having a pamper night on Wednesday where we're all bringing in face masks and wearing pyjamas down to our team room and watching a film together. It's moments like that, off the field, that really bond us and bring us together so that when we're on the field, we're able to go to war together.
It's been amazing to share this journey with my fiancée and team-mate, Marlie Packer. She brings really positive energy and obviously she's a massive asset to the Red Roses. Not only is she my fiancée, but she's also one of my best mates, and that's what's so incredible about this - we get to make so many memories together. What's also special is that we go hard at each other in training, and some people find that a bit strange, but actually, we want to bring out the best in each other as players. So there's no point going all nicey-nicey on each other, it's about making sure we best prepare each other for going into a game.
With our time to relax and recover at the beginning of the week behind us, it's been a case of making sure that we're all really switched on to the new details going into the France game this week, because our tactics will change slightly. We're all so excited to play on the weekend; Le Crunch is a massive game in the Six Nations, and being able to do it in a Rugby World Cup in front of a sold-out crowd is going to be even better.
The crowds have been incredible so far this tournament and we've been using them as our 16th player. From the moment that we get on the bus, where we see the fans walking down the street waving at us as we head to the stadiums, and then having them lined up waiting for us to get off the bus, it's just a really special feeling. They lift us more than they realise.
Running out onto the pitch on a sold-out match day is truly something special. You're standing side by side with your opposition in the tunnel, and you can feel this calm but there's also so many nerves behind it.
You can't really describe it, but as soon as you start to walk out with the person in front of you and the person behind you, you know you're about to go into battle. The hairs are really standing up when the fireworks go off and you can hear the whole crowd screaming - you can feel them all getting on their feet. It's a feeling you wish you could bottle and keep forever.
When it comes to singing the national anthem, I always try and find my mum and dad in the crowd. They've been with me on this journey since the start, since my very first cap.
I can still remember standing there for my first cap, holding the little mascot called Rory, and singing the anthem with them. That moment will never leave me. Every time that I get to sing that anthem and they're in the crowd, I always remember that first time I played for England; why I do what I do, and why I'm still here today.
Hopefully I get a chance to do it all this weekend, but either way we're all looking forward to having the support of our 16th player at Ashton Gate this Saturday.
Rosie
