England women’s rugby union squad contracts will end after World Cup

• RFU have defended their switch in emphasis to the sevens game• Maggie Alphonsi and Labour MPs have expressed dismay at decisionThe England women’s rugby union squad will play in the World Cup in Ireland next month knowing that their contracts will not be renewed whether they successfully defend their title or not.Maggie Alphonsi, who has retired since collecting her World Cup winners’ medal in 2014, has described the news as “very disappointing” and while both she and some MPs have reacted with dismay to the emerging news, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have defended the switch in emphasis t…