WITH qualification for the Women’s World Cup secured following an emphatic win over Wales in Newport five weeks ago, Phil Neville’s England are now stepping up their preparations for next summer’s finals over the coming few days with two friendly matches against Brazil and Australia.

Aside from their now annual matches against the World Cup holders, the United States, these matches at Meadow Lane and Craven Cottage will be England’s first against non-European opposition since a 2015 tour to China.

After qualifying against teams who predominantly sat back against them, England manager Phil Neville emphasised how important it was to take on a team as attack-minded as Brazil.