ENGLAND goalscorer Charlotte Richardson has called on the people of Wycombe to get behind England next week and told them 'you can help us win the World Cup."

The blonde goal-machine reckons home advantage could tip the tournament in England's favour when it gets underway at Wycombe Abbey School tomorrow.

She told the Bucks Free Press: "The supporters can help us win it. It's a big advantage being at home and to see a big crowd of people cheering us on would be a big lift to the players and fire us all up."

England, who have never won the World Cup, have been drawn in Pool A along with four-times winners America and the highly fancied Australians.

They begin their quest for glory tomorrow with a game against the Aussies where they are hoping to carry on where the British Lions left off last week.

Richardson, pictured third from left, said: "Our rugby lads beat them last week and that really inspired us. Now it is our turn and hopefully we can do the same."

England come to the championship buoyed by their victory over Australia on tour last summer and knowing that for the past three world cups they have not finished out of the medal positions.

Richardson said: "We are playing well at the moment and we've really improved as a team over the last two years."

But the Aussies winners in 1986 and runners-up in 1997 will be tough. They have never finished out of the medal positions.

After the Australian game, England lock horns with a Welsh side, who finished fourth at the last World Cup in Tokyo four years ago. That match starts at 5pm on Sunday.

England complete their group matches on Monday evening with the toughest game of the lot against champions and tournament favourites America.

Richardson said: "They're the champions and the favourites. We know it is going to be tough but we're a good side as well and we won't be scared of them."

Of the other nations in the other pool, Canada have only ever made it into the medals once as have Scotland.

Japan are hoping to improve on a best-ever finish of seventh while Germany are competing in the World Cup for the first time.

All the pool matches will be played at Wycombe Abbey School with the final and the third/fourth place play-off match being staged at Adams Park, home of Wycombe Wanderers next Saturday.

The England team visited the stadium on Monday and are desperate to return.

Richardson said: "It's a lovely ground and we all want to play there. I can't wait for it all to start. It is such a feeling to know that you are going to be wearing that shirt on your back. It is something that you dream of to play for your country in a World Cup.