Bern-ing desire

SARAH BERN has been counting down the hours to the Women’s rugby union World Cup final against New Zealand.

For five years the England star has lived with the memory of the last World Cup final, processing the pain of New Zealand’s 41-32 victory and converting it into motivation for use tomorrow morning.

On the eve of a game to be played in front of a world record 40,000 crowd, Bern said: “As much as we are looking to generate inspiration for young kids to play rugby, really, it’s to live whatever their dream is.

“We have had a lot of girls and women saying, ‘I was afraid to try this or that and you guys inspired me’.

“To hear that for one person is very special. The fact we are getting so many messages is quite overwhelming.”

■ SARAH BERN is an ambassador for Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby.