Despite damning findings, Israel remains in World Cup contention - raising questions over football’s role in global accountability, writes JAMES NALTON

AMY COKAYNE is backing England to prove their big game temperament by delivering in front of a record crowd for the women’s game in today’s Rugby World Cup final.
Twickenham will be at capacity to watch the Red Roses take on Canada with the 82,000 attendance surpassing the 58,498 who were present for the Six Nations match against France in 2023.
Apart from the size of the occasion, England must also contend with the baggage of a dismal record in World Cup finals that has produced just one victory in six consecutive appearances.
Cokayne, however, insists the tournament favourites believe their time has come.
“For me, the bigger the crowd the better. I have no doubt we will rise to the occasion. I’m really buzzing that the stadium is going to be full,” the hooker said.
“The bigger crowds we have had, that is when the big players stand up and we are a team full of big players. It is a bit of an unprecedented crowd for us and we are excited to see it.
“We are quite lucky that we have played at Twickenham a few times, it feels quite natural and normal to be here.
“That’s probably testament to the Rugby Football Union for letting us play here, well done RFU.”
England have been taking steps to deal with the pressure of claiming the ultimate prize knowing that their only defeat in their last 63 Tests was inflicted by New Zealand in the delayed 2022 World Cup final.
Inside centre Tatyana Heard said: “Our training week has prepared us really well, but equally it’s another week and another game and we have been playing these games for the past however long.
“We’ve got to prepare like it’s another game because that’s ultimately what it is, it’s just more exciting because of the number of people in the crowd. There’s a lot more at stake but at the end of the day it’s just one more game for us.
“It’s definitely an opportunity, we have been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Now we are here and we get to enjoy that moment. We can’t wait to get out there and put on a show.”

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