Saturday afternoon saw the latest addition to a vintage year for women’s sport in England. Hot on the heels of the Lionesses retaining their European crown at Euro 2025, the Red Roses conquered the rugby world for a third time.
England’s women suffered heartbreaking defeats to New Zealand in the 2017 and 2022 finals. Three years on, John Mitchell’s side was in no mood to disappoint the partisan home support. 88,185 spectators flocked to Twickenham for the final, setting a new world record attendance for a women’s rugby match. In storming to a 33-13 victory, the Red Roses delivered a performance befitting such a stage.
Path to the Final
Entering the World Cup as the top-ranked team and unbeaten since their loss to the Black Ferns in the 2017 World Cup Final, England were expected to make a bold bid for the title. Taking their place in Pool A, alongside world number seven side Australia, inaugural winners the USA, and underdogs Samoa, England progressed with the minimum of fuss.
Kicking off with a 69-7 demolition of the US at the Stadium of Light, England cruised to a 92-3 win over Samoa in Northampton and concluded with a comfortable 47-7 victory over Australia in Brighton. Three games, three wins, 208 points scored, and only 17 conceded were enough to secure top spot in the pool.
Having finished second behind Canada in Pool B, Scotland awaited England in the quarter-finals. Bristol City’s Ashton Gate ground provided the stage for another one-sided affair, as England ran in five tries on their way to a 40-8 stroll. The semi-final line-up conformed to the World Rugby Rankings. Ranked second and third, respectively, Canada and New Zealand locked horns, while England hosted fourth-ranked France. As expected, Les Bleus provided England’s stiffest test to date but were no match for another five-try salvo, as the hosts ran out 35-17 winners.
The Final: Power and Magic Seal the Deal
LEGACY. SECURED. 🤩
England are Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Champions 🌹#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/MObG6ueGDP
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2025
Making the final was nothing new for England. Since the Women’s Rugby World Cup made its debut in Wales in 1991, the Red Roses have made eight of nine finals. However, they had won only two. Losing out to New Zealand in 2002, 2006, and 2010, they faced the unwanted prospect of losing three successive finals for a second time.
At least they didn’t have the six-time winners to worry about this time around, with New Zealand suffering a 34-19 defeat at the hands of Canada in the semi-final. Having provided the final opposition when England lifted the trophy in 2014, the Maple Leafs again stood between the hosts and ultimate glory. Praised for their impressive play in their run to the final, Canada started quickly at Twickenham. Stealing the ball at the line-out, they switched the ball wide to flying winger Asia Hogan-Rochester, who ran in for the try.
England responded with one of the most magical tries of the tournament. Receiving the ball just inside the Canadian half, fullback Ellie Kildunne evaded a sea of defenders with an electric burst of speed and agility to score behind the posts – a breathtaking effort from the outgoing World Rugby Player of the Year.
From there, England rode the unstoppable power of their forwards and near-unbreachable defence to victory. Hooker Amy Cokayne scored from a driving maul, and Alex Matthews powered over following a typically dominant scrum, as England went into halftime with a 21-8 lead.
Abbie Ward bulldozed over from close range in the 50th minute to hand England a dominant lead, but Canada responded immediately. Taking advantage of their extra player following Hannah Botterman’s yellow card, the excellent Hogan-Rochester once again proved too quick once in the clear.
However, any thoughts of a nail-biting finale were soon extinguished. Having forced Canada back to their tryline with their bludgeoning running up the middle, England struck the final decisive blow. Backing up the play, Matthews carried two Canadian defenders with her as she completed England’s road to redemption. The final score was England 33-13 Canada.
Summary and Tributes
In lifting the famous trophy, England set a new world record of 33 consecutive victories. Number one in the world and now world champions once again, Ellie Kildunne, Alex Matthews, Zoe Aldcroft, and their teammates have added their names to England’s sporting heroines of 2025.
Just as the efforts of the Lionesses have increased participation in women’s football, it is hoped that this mighty performance can help fuel the dreams of the next generation of Red Roses. The huge Twickenham attendance is an excellent sign for the future of the game. If leveraged wisely, this triumph could provide the platform for growth at all levels, increased media attention, and greater investment in the sport.
