Ferntastic BUT ANGUISH FOR LYDIA

ENGLAND boss Simon Middleton refused to throw wing Lydia Thompson to the wolves after her red card cost the Red Roses glory.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

Thompson was dismissed after just 18 minutes of this game which ended in England losing to the Black Ferns for the fifth time in a World Cup final.

Worcester's Thompson (right) was sent off for a head-on-head challenge which left opposite number Portia Woodman unable to continue.