England have won the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, beating Canada 13-33 in an epic final, in front of a record Women’s World Cup crowd of 81,885 at Allianz Stadium.
England scored five tries in total showing accuracy around Canada’s 22, with the Red Roses able to nullify threats through their physicality and resolute defence and Canada’s penalties allowing England to keep momentum on their side.
Early exchanges saw England dominate in the scrum but not the line out as a stolen line out by Canada saw them score their first try only five minutes in.
Fabiola Forteza drew in players in the five metre channel on the left hand side and passed to Asia Hogan-Rochester outside her who dotted down to get Canada off the mark. Conversion was missed but Canada led 5-0.
Ellie Kildunne answered back only two minutes later, with a simply irresistible score, racking up the missed tackles using her balanced running and cutting infield from outside her own 22 to dot down unopposed underneath the posts.
The conversion from Zoe Harrison saw England take the lead 5-7, and it was all English traffic for the rest of the half.
On 16 minutes a kick out on the full from Julia Schell gave England the platform of a lineout just inside Canada’s half which was caught long by Tatyana Heard making metres up the pitch.
A resulting penalty saw Amy Cokayne throw in on the five metre line and the rolling maul saw the hooker ground the ball from England’s strong set piece.
The conversion by Harrison meant the Red Roses had a 5-14 cushion on 20 minutes.
The English attack continued and after a TMO check to disallow a try, Natasha Hunt picked up the ball from the base of the scrum and passed to club team mate Alex Matthews to score. Again the conversion was good from Harrison and England led 5-21 on 26 minutes.
Canada responded, knocking on a solid English wall of defence with thumping tackles being made before centre Alex Tessier went to the boot but the kick was marked by KIldunne.
A penalty soon after saw Tessier kick to the corner with Canada setting up the driving maul eight metres out. As Canada drove towards the line, the ball was stolen by England captain Zoe Aldcroft leading by example and England were able to alleviate the pressure.
Canada had to settle for their next instalment of points to come through Sophie de Goede’s boot who kicked a penalty in the 33rd minute in front of the posts to reduce the deficit by three. England led 8-21 heading into half-time.
A sloppy start from Canada in the second half gifted England possession, and it took nine minutes for the Red Roses to take advantage with a pick and go from Abbie Ward adding to their points tally. The conversion hit the posts meaning England led 8-26.
In a moment of overenthusiasm, on 51 minutes, prop Hannah Botterman who had been outstanding all match with her turnovers and physicality was yellow carded after a dangerous tackle on Karen Paquin, and Canada took advantage of their extra player on the pitch.
Exposing England out wide, Canada’s quick hands saw Hogan-Rochester dart through only a minute later to score their second try on the wing. The missed conversion made the score 13-26.
On 60 minutes England rolled the changes with the bench coming on, and straight away the replacements were put to the test with Canada launching attack after attack, but England withstood enormous pressure with their scrum and pack absolutely immense.
Canada weren’t able to get the points they so desperately needed and England edged closer at the other end of the pitch with a second score on 68 minutes for number eight Matthews.
Only ten minutes remained between England being crowned world champions for the third time and Canada were unable to find any answers.
As the clock ticked towards the 80, the crowd began to count down and when referee Hollie Davidson blew her whistle it was time for celebration for the majority of the sellout crowd.
England were denied in 2017 and 2022 by New Zealand but this year at home, they record their 33rd consecutive victory and with it a world champion crown.
England’s Ellie Kildunne in action. Picture: REUTERS
