On a historic Saturday at London’s Twickenham Stadium, England’s Red Roses delivered a performance for the ages, overpowering Canada 33-13 to claim their third Women’s Rugby World Cup title. Before a roaring, record-breaking crowd of 81,885—the largest ever for a women’s rugby match—the hosts showcased their blend of power, precision, and poise, cementing their place atop the international rugby world.
The anticipation was palpable as fans packed Twickenham, tickets having sold out five weeks prior. England, appearing in their seventh consecutive World Cup final, were determined to exorcise the ghosts of recent heartbreaks, having lost the previous two finals to New Zealand. But this time, under the guidance of head coach John Mitchell—appointed two years ago to instill a winning mentality—the Red Roses would not be denied.
Canada, riding high after a stunning semifinal victory over two-time defending champions New Zealand, were hungry for their first world title. Their journey to the final was fueled by a near-million-dollar fundraising campaign, ‘Mission: Win Rugby World Cup’, a testament to their determination to compete with the best-funded teams in the sport. Yet, despite their grit and a flawless campaign up to this point, they found themselves up against a Red Roses side at the very peak of their powers.
The drama began early. Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester sent shockwaves through the stadium with a blistering try just minutes after kickoff, putting the underdogs ahead and silencing the home crowd. But England’s response was immediate and emphatic. Ellie Kildunne, last year’s world player of the year, dazzled with a sensational solo try, weaving past defenders and restoring order for the hosts. “Ellie Kildunne at her brilliant best,” the Rugby World Cup’s official account exclaimed, and the crowd roared back to life.
England’s forwards began to assert their dominance, driving Canada backward in the scrum and mauls. Hooker Amy Cokayne muscled over for a try following a powerful lineout drive, echoing her hat-trick heroics from the 2022 final. Soon after, Alex Matthews—playing in her fourth straight World Cup final—crossed the line, capitalizing on an intercept by center Tatyana Heard. With Zoe Harrison’s reliable boot adding conversions, England surged to a 21-5 lead.
Canada, struggling to break through England’s relentless defense, opted for a penalty kick by captain Sophie de Goede to keep the scoreboard ticking. De Goede, remarkably just two months into her comeback from an ACL tear, was later recognized as the world player of the year, beating out England’s Megan Jones and New Zealand’s Jorja Miller. Her teammates lifted her in celebration, despite the tough loss—a moment of pride amid disappointment.
The first half closed with England’s defense on full display. Captain Zoe Aldcroft executed a crucial turnover on her own try line, and prop Hannah Botterman’s jackal penalty was met with a double-fisted roar. England led 21-8 at the break, their composure and clinical execution setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.
The second half saw lock Abbie Ward power over for another try, extending England’s advantage. Harrison, who had not missed a kick since the pool stage, saw her streak end as her conversion attempt hit the post. But the Red Roses’ momentum was undeterred.
Canada refused to fold. Hogan-Rochester, who had opened the scoring, found her way to the try line again, showing why she’s considered one of the tournament’s most dangerous finishers. Yet, every time Canada threatened to claw back, England’s defense repelled them. When a sustained period of Canadian pressure ended with a knock-on just meters from England’s try line, the frustration was evident—even Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was seen with his head in his hands.
With time winding down, Matthews delivered the dagger, scoring her second try of the match following a fortuitous bounce from a spiraling bomb. Harrison’s conversion sealed the final margin at 33-13, and the celebrations began in earnest. England had not only won the World Cup but had done so by extending their international record winning streak to 33 consecutive matches—a run that began after their painful defeat to New Zealand in the 2022 final.
“The past certainly dictates the now and the girls hung tough in the whole tournament and connected with the nation,” coach John Mitchell said post-match. “I thought we were superb defensively in the tournament; our attack didn’t need to be at its best but it was effective enough to get the job done. Canada are a good side but they hadn’t come up against us and we were waiting.”
England’s lineup was a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Alongside Kildunne, Cokayne, and Matthews, Ward’s try and Harrison’s four conversions were vital. Captain Aldcroft’s leadership and defensive acumen were pivotal, as was the relentless energy from forwards like Botterman and Kabeya. The Red Roses’ ability to peak when it mattered most was a testament to their preparation and mental toughness. “There was no doubt in our minds coming into this that we were going to do the job,” Aldcroft said, her words echoing the confidence that permeated the squad.
For Canada, the defeat stung, but their campaign was filled with positives. They had bossed every opponent, including the mighty Black Ferns, and validated their No. 2 world ranking. Hogan-Rochester’s two tries in the final capped a breakout tournament, and de Goede’s individual accolades provided a silver lining. The team’s fundraising efforts and journey to the final captured the imagination of fans back home and around the world.
Elsewhere in the tournament, New Zealand rebounded from their semifinal loss to Canada by defeating France 42-26 to claim the bronze medal. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the 18-year-old sensation, scored her 10th and 11th tries, the second highest tally in World Cup history, while Renee Holmes starred with a 17-point haul. The Black Ferns’ victory ensured they remained a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
As the sun set over Twickenham, the Red Roses lifted the trophy high, their triumph a fitting reward for years of relentless pursuit and heartbreak. With a home crowd behind them and history made, England’s women stand alone atop the rugby world—champions once more, and perhaps, for a long time to come.
