Alphonsi, who played for England 74 times before retiring in 2014, has seen her fair share of support over the years, but this year’s Rugby World Cup is set to break all the records, culminating in the final at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 27 September.
It is expected that the showpiece will surpass the current record for the most attended women’s rugby match in history, which was set by the 66,000 who packed into the Stade de France in Paris during last year’s Olympic Games.
“In 2010 (England) hosted the World Cup, barely anyone attended,” Alphonsi said. “The final was just down the road, at Twickenham Stoop and we had just under 14,000 people.
“At the time was that was a massive landmark and a milestone in women’s rugby.
“Now, you fast-forward it on, and the final is going to be at a stadium that has just under 90,000 people, I just think that that in itself says so much about how far the women’s game has come.
“How professional the athletes are, the level of sponsorship that is there, the way this tournament has been promoted, I mean it is going to be the biggest tournament ever, the most global tournament ever. The amount of social media engagement just says so much.”
Alphonsi was part of the team that lost 13-10 to New Zealand in that final at the Stoop, but the Red Roses would go on to lift the title at Rugby World Cup 2014.
Silverware aside, the 28-time try-scorer for England is proud of the legacy she and her team helped to build, the fruit of which will be seen in a mega festival of rugby over these next few weeks.
“I’m so jealous, and I wish I was still playing to be honest,” the former flanker said. “But I am just pleased that me and many others were part of that small slice of progress that enabled it to go in the right direction.
“Back in the day you could just turn up on the day of the final and get a ticket on the door and now I am speaking to various people and they can’t even get tickets for a Pool game. That’s brilliant. I am so pleased there is a demand for it.
“To think we have sold that many (tickets) for the Pool games is brilliant, for all the nations. I am speechless and over the moon about how far the game has come.”
People will still be able to spot the woman who helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns during the tournament, as she will have a microphone in hand as a pundit at Rugby World Cup 2025.
“I’ll be there for the BBC, covering all the games – I’m very excited,” she said.
“I know it’s going to be awesome. I would love England to be in the final but whatever two teams are there, I know that they’ll deliver for us. It’s going to be a great tournament.”