England made amends for their two previous final defeats to be crowned world champions with a 33-13 victory over Canada in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Red Roses, touted as pre-tournament favourites, proved unstoppable on home turf, and they were spurred on by their superstar full-back Ellie Kildunne, who struck the hosts’ first try at Twickenham.
John Mitchell’s side were stunned in the opening exchanges as Asia Hogan-Rochester silenced the Home of Rugby, but Kildunne responded almost instantaneously to dot down. The Red Roses’ onslaught continued after that, with Amy Cokayne bundling over on 19 minutes, while the relentless Alex Matthews bagged a brace either side of half time. Abbie Ward’s dogged performance was rewarded with a try of her own.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for England, as Hannah Botterman saw a yellow card and was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, and the visitors threatened to take full advantage as Hogan-Rochester touched down for her second, but ultimately, the Maple Leaves did not have enough, and the Red Roses are champions of the world for the first time since 2014.
England vs Canada latest news
- TRY! Matthews notches brace
- TRY! Hogan-Rochester scores her second
- TRY! Ward scores Red Roses' fourth
- TRY! Matthews makes it three
- TRY! Cockayne adds second
Aldcroft has her hands on the trophy
18:12 , Oli Gent... and she lifts it aloft! England are world champions!
Here come the England players!
18:09 , Oli GentThey’re receiving their medals... and then time for the trophy.
Hunt's post-match thoughts
18:05 , Oli Gent"This is unimaginable. I am so proud of the girls. I hope this stays for women's rugby,” Hunt told BBC Sport.
“[John Mitchell] has just kept it simple. He has been honest, sometimes brutally honest but I like that. He has got this week bang on. We played on the 16th member of the team - the crowd.
"I don't think any of us could have imagined it would have been like this. That is a testament to everyone behind the scenes and those who turned up today."
Ward's post-match thoughts
18:04 , Oli Gent"Honestly as soon as the whistle went I just burst into tears,” Ward told BBC Sport.
“Its' truly been such a special day. A sold-out crowd at Twickenham. It was electric, in front of friends, family, it's amazing.
"The last final loss, that was then. This is a new team, this is a new chapter of women's rugby. It wasn't about righting wrongs.
“This is our little moment today. It's about this, this team has been special, what we've done has been special. The support, the crowd, the friends and family involved, it's been magical.
“[My daughter] has been on the side of the pitch waving like mad. I can't wait to pick her up and bring her on to the pitch.
“When you get occasions like today, it does make it worth it. It's one of those pinch me moments."
Afterparty at Battersea Power Station!
18:03 , Oli GentThe celebrations will continue at 3pm at Battersea Power Station tomorrow. It will be available to watch on BBC One, but it is also free entry for those that want to attend.
“We are so proud of our world champion Red Roses for their historic win in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final," Bill Sweeney, the RFU CEO, said.
"To achieve this in England and at Allianz Stadium, the home of England Rugby, makes this victory even more rewarding. Our congratulations go to entire playing squad and management team on this monumental achievement.
“We can’t thank fans, across the country, enough for their support of the Red Roses during the tournament – it's been phenomenal."
Kabeya's post-match thoughts
17:55 , Oli Gent"It's amazing! Thank you to everyone who came out here today,” said the player of the match.
"It's a pinch me moment. It's been years and years in the making, I am so happy we could pull it off.
"All props to Canada they are a great side and they put up a great fight here today."
FT: England 33-13 Canada
17:44 , Oli GentThat’s it, England are world champions at last!
What a moment for the Red Roses, who lift the trophy for the first time since 2014!
England 33-13 Canada
17:43 , Oli Gent79 mins: Swing Low rings around Twickenham once again. Almost there.
England 33-13 Canada
17:40 , Oli Gent76 mins: Sadia Kabeya is named player of the match. Richly deserved.
England 33-13 Canada
17:38 , Oli Gent74 mins: For all the Canadian effort, this has just been a step too far. England’s defence has just been too good. 178 tackles, only 18 missed.
TRY! England 33-13 Canada
17:33 , Oli Gent70 mins: Talling and Ward crash over the top... and it’s down from Matthews, who gets her second! That’s poor under the high ball from Canada, as it spills out and the Red Roses capitalise, converging on the line, and it’s Matthews who secures her brace!
Harrison is over the extras, and gets them!
England 26-13 Canada
17:30 , Oli Gent68 mins: Heard is replaced by Aitchison, and Helena Rowland is on for Breach.
England 26-13 Canada
17:28 , Oli Gent66 mins: What a scrum from the Red Roses, tight to their five-metre, and they earn themselves a penalty for a collapsed pack.
England 26-13 Canada
17:26 , Oli Gent64 mins: The clock is up for Botterman’s sin bin, and Jess Breach is back on for the Red Roses.
England 26-13 Canada
17:24 , Oli Gent62 mins: Amy Cockayne and Maud Muir are replaced, with Sarah Bern and Lark Atkin-Davies on, while Lucy Packer replaces Natasha Hunt at No9.
England 26-13 Canada
17:21 , Oli Gent60 mins: Jess Breach is off, so Kelsey Clifford can come on for this scrum.
England 26-13 Canada
17:21 , Oli Gent59 mins: Huge knock-on from the Canadians, as England survive! De Goede is at the heart of it, and Mark Carney can’t believe it in the stands!
England 26-13 Canada
17:18 , Oli Gent57 mins: Moment has shifted now as the Canadians rip forward through Apps, and play is brought back for a penalty for offside.
A big lineout for the visitors, can they claw this back with Botterman off the pitch?
TRY! England 26-13 Canada
17:15 , Oli Gent54 mins: Canada make the most of their player advantage, as Hogan-Rochester goes over for her second in the corner, but de Goede can’t add the extras.
England 26-8 Canada
17:13 , Oli Gent52 mins: Yellow card! Hannah Botterman has been shown a yellow for a dangerous tackle! That’s as big a dump tackle as possible on Paquin, and she’s off.
TRY! England 26-8 Canada
17:12 , Oli Gent50 mins: Ward gets in on the act, as the Red Roses force it over! Matthews makes the drive, and then Ward grounds! Harrison can’t add the extras.
England 21-8 Canada
17:09 , Oli Gent48 mins: Knocked on! England get so close to the line as Botterman looks to barge her way over, and it’s worked back out wide, but the ball is dropped!
England 21-8 Canada
17:06 , Oli Gent45 mins: Penalty, Canada. Sloppy from England as they get a bit overexcited at the breakdown, and the Maple Leaves can make some ground back up here.
England 21-8 Canada
17:03 , Oli Gent43 mins: A nice 50-22 from Tessier. A strong start from Canada, but Ward steals at the lineout!
Kick off!
17:01 , Oli Gent41 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: England 21-8 Canada
16:46 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and the Red Roses are 40 minutes away from being crowned world champions. A great half.
England 21-8 Canada
16:43 , Oli Gent39 mins: Kildunne makes a darting run after picking up Schell’s kick downfield. The full-back drops it, however, and the ball is turned over.
England 21-8 Canada
16:41 , Oli Gent38 mins: No try! There was indeed an obstruction, as Maud Muir is the guilty party!
TRY! England 26-8 Canada
16:39 , Oli Gent37 mins: And it’s over, and Amy Cockayne is claiming it! She touches down, but the TMO is looking at an obstruction in front of the ball-carrier...
England 21-8 Canada
16:38 , Oli Gent36 mins: Penalty, England. Botterman again is quick and solid at the breakdown, forcing the Canadians to not release. The rolling maul drives from the lineout...
England 21-8 Canada
16:37 , Oli Gent34 mins: De Goede kicks over the next Canada penalty, and the Maple Leaves are clawing back the deficit.
England 21-5 Canada
16:34 , Oli Gent32 mins: It’s short to the front, and cleanly taken, with a strong Canadian drive, which is still moving well.
England have to stay legal here, and the ball is right at the back, with the visitors trying to swing the maul round.
Pelletier is trying to dictate, and is that down? No! Aldcroft dives on it, and turns it over! Great reactions.
England 21-5 Canada
16:33 , Oli Gent30 mins: There’s an advantage for the Canadians, as the visitors look to work it through the lines.
It’s brought back, and the Maple Leaves are going to knock this down into the corner.
TRY! England 21-5 Canada
16:29 , Oli Gent26 mins: That scrum is moving, and they’ve got a penalty advantage... but they don’t need it, as Alex Matthews, playing in her fourth straight World Cup final, dives over to add the third! Harrison converts.
England 14-5 Canada
16:27 , Oli Gent25 mins: Scrum down, England ball. Swing Low rings around Twickenham as the ball breaks for Hunt, who looks to make the line, but she’s hauled back at the last. But there’s another penalty for the Red Roses!
England 14-5 Canada
16:25 , Oli Gent24 mins: England are adamant that they’ve scored, according to the referee. The TMO is having a look, with a combination of Ward and Cockayne thinking that they have done enough to touch down, but the replays are showing that the ball wasn’t grounded!
England 14-5 Canada
16:24 , Oli Gent23 mins: Kabeya picks and goes, with Botterman waiting and driving, with the Red Roses burrowing towards the line. It’s all about the forwards, as the hosts get a penalty, which Hunt wants to tap and go, but there’s a TMO review here...
England 14-5 Canada
16:23 , Oli Gent22 mins: Breach makes a strong break through the line, and Botterman takes over. Matthews now, with Cockayne in support...
TRY! England 14-5 Canada
16:20 , Oli Gent19 mins: It’s there, and the Red Roses have another, as Cockayne crashes over! It’s such a strong push from the hosts, and the maul collapses over the line, with the ball dotted down.
Harrison is over the conversion, and she makes it!
England 7-5 Canada
16:19 , Oli Gent18 mins: Heard scoops up the long lineout which flies over the two lines, and she has Botterman in support, but the move breaks down with a tap tackle, which is brought back for the penalty. The drive from the resulting lineout and maul is strong, with Cockayne in possession...
England 7-5 Canada
16:17 , Oli Gent16 mins: A more even scrum this time, as the Red Roses look to break down the right, but it’s sloppy from Hunt and Dow, and the ball bobbles out of play!
England 7-5 Canada
16:14 , Oli Gent14 mins: Scrum down, Canada ball. The visitors look to play out, but the ball goes forward and England turn it over.
England 7-5 Canada
16:14 , Oli Gent12 mins: Good yards made by Breach, as Paquin is penalised for not releasing after the tackle.
Red Roses lineout, and Ward takes, looking for the rolling maul. Kabeya takes charge, then Hunt, looking for the big players. Talling takes over, and looks to dot down, but it’s gone forward, according to the referee!
TRY! England 7-5 Canada
16:09 , Oli Gent8 mins: What a run from Kildunne!
There looked to be nothing on, but one, two steps, and she rides the challenge, before darting through to cross the whitewash! The Red Roses are level, and then they’re ahead as Harrison knocks over the conversion.
TRY! England 0-5 Canada
16:07 , Oli Gent5 mins: England have plenty of work to do, as the Red Roses lose their own set piece with the dummy jumpers.
Menin takes the ball and flicks it down the blindside, and Forteza commits Dow, for Hogan-Rochester to dot down!
They can’t convert, however.
England 0-0 Canada
16:04 , Oli Gent4 mins: Huge push from the Red Roses as Dow goes straight over the top from the follow-up. Talling battles at the breakdown, with the forwards looking for some heavy hits in the early exchanges.
England 0-0 Canada
16:04 , Oli Gent3 mins: Scrum down, England. Canada are trying to move the ball through the hands quickly. Forteza drops it, however, and the knock-on gives us the first scrum of the game.
England 0-0 Canada
16:03 , Oli Gent2 mins: Early penalty for Canada, with a bit of over anticipation from Abby Dow. She can’t clear or touch the No9, and she gives away the set play, which the Canadians kick for touch.
Kick off!
16:01 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway.
The players are out!
15:55 , Oli GentHere come the teams, and it’s time for the anthems.
Let’s go!
Sophie Lloyd on the mic
15:50 , Oli GentThe pre-game show has started, and Sophie Lloyd is playing some electric guitar on the pitch.
What happened in the third-place play-off?
15:40 , Oli GentNew Zealand faced France in the third-place play-off earlier today, and the Black Ferns secured a 42-26 victory at Twickenham.
Head to head record
15:30 , Oli GentEngland are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run against Canada, who last won this tie in 2016.
England wins: 33
Canada wins: 3
Draws: 1
Kildunne exclusive: England have put in work to become world champions
15:14 , Oli GentEllie Kildunne believes that the Red Roses have put in the work and deserve to be crowned world champions today.
Can John Mitchell’s side go all the way today?
England bid to exorcise demons with World Cup glory
15:00 , Oli GentWhen the whistle blew at Eden Park on November 12, 2022, the entire England Women’s Rugby side stood in disbelief, writes Will Heaver.
Their hearts had just been broken by a late Ayesha Leti-I’iga try as they fell agonisingly short of World Cup glory.
A number of players from that final remain in the England side and will run out against Canada in front of 80,000 fans at Allianz Stadium on Saturday as they try to exorcise the demons of three years ago.
England have been an unstoppable force since, unbeaten in 32 games with coach John Mitchell bringing new players into the squad to mix with the talent already there.
World Cup final key clashes
14:50 , Oli GentFrom the battle of the fly-halves to the tussle in the front row, this should be an evenly-matched game, with both sides throwing caution to the wind.
The making of Kildunne
14:40 , Oli GentEllie Kildunne is a shining light in the fullback jersey for the Red Roses and has been throughout her entire career, writes Will Heaver.
The 26-year-old has scored 42 tries in 56 games, a superb strike rate.
She is in battle with her teammates, Jess Breach and Abby Dow, to be the leading try scorer of all time for the Red Roses. It isn’t just try scoring where Kildunne excels; her short kicking game and playmaking are also world class.
Standard Sport prediction
14:30 , Oli GentFacing John Mitchell’s rampant Red Roses in front of 82,000 home fans at Twickenham Stadium, it would not be unfair to say that Canada have their work cut out for them.
England have won all five of their matches at the World Cup by an aggregate score of 283-42, and there is little to suggest that margin will get any smaller on Saturday.
Canada, as the world No2, will be England’s toughest opposition at the tournament thus far, but the Red Roses should prove too good. They have a date with destiny.
England to win by 15 points.
Canada lineup
14:20 , Oli GentCanada XV: Schell, Corrigan, Symonds, Tessier, Hogan-Rochester, Perry, Pelletier, Forteza, Paquin, Crossley, O'Donnell, De Goede, Menin, Tuttosi, Hunt.
Replacements: Boag, Kassil, Demerchant, Tyson Beukeboom, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Olivia Apps, Shoshanah Seumenutafa.
England lineup
14:10 , Oli GentEngland XV: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Kabeya, Matthews.
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.
Canada team news
14:00 , Oli GentCanada have remained consistent throughout the tournament. Their lineup is unchanged for the third consecutive match.
Karen Paquin makes the squad, and is the only member of the visitors to have played in the 2014 final.
England team news
13:50 , Oli GentMegan Jones, shortlisted for world player of the year in midweek, returns in the middle. Alongside her is Jess Breach. The pair have started in all six of England’s World Cup matches.
Ellie Kildunne returns having shaken off a concussion to score a brace in the semi-final.
How to watch
13:40 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 3pm BST ahead of a 4pm kick-off.
Live stream: The contest will be broadcast live online via BBC iPlayer.
Hello and welcome!
13:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final!
England, the hosts and pre-tournament favourites, take on Canada, who beat the defending champions New Zealand in the last four.
This should be a thriller. Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 4pm BST!
