England claimed their third Women’s Rugby World Cup title in front of a record crowd of 81,885 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, defeating Canada 33-13 to end an agonizing 11-year wait for glory on home soil.
This wasn’t just a victory: it was a coronation. The Red Roses extended their winning streak to an astonishing 33 consecutive matches, the longest unbeaten run in international rugby history, and they did it with a performance that showcased everything that makes them the world’s most dominant team.
The atmosphere was electric from kickoff, with the second-highest attendance for any Rugby World Cup final in history, men’s or women’s.
The crowd didn’t have to wait long for drama. Canada struck first through winger Asia Hogan-Rochester’s early try, sending a jolt of nervous energy through the stands.
But if there were ghosts of finals past haunting Twickenham – England had lost two consecutive World Cup finals – they were quickly exorcised by the brilliance of Ellie Kildunne. The fullback produced a moment of individual magic just inside the Canadian half, stepping inside two defenders before carving through to score a try that seemed to come from nothing Rugby World Cup. It was the spark that ignited an English onslaught.
England’s forward pack took complete control, with their famed rolling maul proving unstoppable. Hooker Amy Cokayne crashed over, followed by Alex Matthews – playing in her fourth consecutive World Cup final – who scored thanks to a delightful offload from scrumhalf Natasha Hunt.
By halftime, England led 21-8, a scoreline that barely reflected their dominance.
The second half began with Abbie Ward powering over just five minutes in, and though Canada showed their quality with Hogan-Rochester’s second try during a period when England were down to 14 players, there would be no comeback. Matthews sealed the victory with her second try late on, capping England’s biggest margin of victory in a World Cup final in 27 years.
Sadia Kabeya, who was named player of the match, summed up the emotion perfectly: “It sounds amazing, it’s a pinch-me moment, but it’s been years and years in the making.”
Canada, who stunned defending champions New Zealand in the semifinals, left everything on the pitch but couldn’t match England’s relentless power and precision. Their coach Kevin Rouet’s assessment was brutally honest: “They were just better than us, and we didn’t score when we had to score.”
This tournament wasn’t just about England’s redemption—it was a watershed moment for women’s rugby. The record crowds, the quality of play, and the global attention have elevated the sport to new heights. And at the center of it all, England stood triumphant, finally matching their status as the world’s top team with the trophy to prove it.
