Sarah Bern has been here before, counting down the hours to a World Cup final against New Zealand.
For five years she has lived with the memory of the last time, processing the pain of that loss into motivation for use tomorrow morning.
It has allowed her to understand the magnitude of this occasion but also the size of opportunity she and her team mates have to inspire others. On the eve of a final to be played in front of a world record 40,000 crowd, Bern spoke movingly of the emotion driving this England team.
She 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 go out and do it’.
"To hear that for one person is very special. The fact we’re getting so many messages is quite overwhelming."
You don’t get to play tighthead prop for England, to win 51 caps and appear in a second World Cup final without being built of strong stuff.
Yet talking about the chance this England team has not just to win a game of rugby but to achieve something that might improve the lives of others, suddenly stops Bern in her tracks.
“It makes me quite emotional because a lot of this journey for me is about my nieces and nephews," said the 25-year old. "My nephew struggles with autism and attention deficit disorder, my niece with dyslexia as I did.
“I don’t want them to be categorised and to see their challenges as a negative. I want them to see me doing this, for that to make them more resilient and know that they too are able to go and attack their dreams."
She added: “It’s very easy sometimes, when you feel a little bit different or you don’t feel like you quite fit in, to doubt yourself and put yourself down.
“But there’s a whole group of girls here who have come through all different experiences, personalities and challenges to enjoy great success."
England, ranked No 1 in the world and winners of their last 30 Tests, are odds-on favourites but have played the Black Ferns in four previous finals and lost the lot.
The game is billed as England’s forwards against New Zealand’s backs. Too simplistic of course but the Roses’ driving maul is a weapon which must be diffused if the Black Ferns are to retain their crown.
Sarah Bern is an ambassador for Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby who fund life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland. The charity aim for every child and young person to have access to the best life opportunities, regardless of their background, through the power of rugby.
