5 Things You Missed: Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Final

England are champions of the world for the first time since 2014, as they once again dispatched of a resilient Canadian side for a re-peat of the final from 11 years ago. The Red Roses ran in five tries, with Ellie Kildunne, Amy Cokayne, Abbie Ward and Alex Matthews all scoring in the showpiece match.

Canada caught England unawares in the opening moments of the match, as following a line-out mishap from Alex Matthews, wing Asia Hogan-Rochester raced away to score the opening try. An uncharacteristically missed conversion from Sophie de Goede kept England just five points behind, which the Red Roses quickly rectified.

England's resident showstopper Ellie Kildunne was on hand to open the Red Roses' account for the final, and did so in truly mesmeric style. The fullback collected the ball little inside the Canadian half, and beat a handful of red jerseys with a devastating solo score. The wonder-try was converted by Zoe Harrison, as England took the lead after just eight minutes.

The remainder of the first half was all England dominance. The forward pack flexed their muscles, with prop Hannah Botterman at the heart of the effort with a few breathless turnovers. Hooker Amy Cokayne added the second score, as the Saracen started and ended a dominant rolling maul at 18 minutes.

The set-piece success was then showcased at scrum-time, as England trundled over Canada's try-line, as the ball popped up to scrum half Natasha Hunt. The nine was halted inches from scoring, yet Hunt had the wherewithal to find her fellow 2014 RWC champion Alex Matthews in support to score. Canada returned fire with a 33rd minute penalty, in an attempt to narrow the deficit in a breathless first half.

England thought they had a fourth just moments before the break, as Amy Cokayne shunted a rolling maul over once again. However, prop Maud Muir was adjudged to be obstructing the Canadian maul defensive, with the TMO and Referee Hollie Davidson chalking off the score. The two sides departed with the score-lines reading 21-8, just one point different to the final score from their meeting in 2014.

England took a brief 10 minute break before starting up the second half try scoring, with Alex Matthews again at the heart of the offensive. The number eight picked from the back of the scrum and was halted just short of the line, before lock Abbie Ward added the all important extra yard to get England across the whitewash.

After a faultless 50 minutes, Hannah Botterman had a moment of madness and was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous clear out at the ruck. This extra player advantage opened the door for Canada, with Hogan-Rochester bagging her brace with a finish in the corner.

England employed a unique 'up and under' technique for their fifth try, with Lucy packer quickest to react to the spilled ball. The replacement nine shipped the ball wide, before the Red Roses pack once again took centre stage as Matthews scored her second.

TRIES: 5 (Kildunne 8', Cokayne 18', Matthews 26', 68', Ward 50'

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Harrison 8', 18', 26', 68')

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Botterman 52')

TRIES: 2 (Hogan-Rochester 5', 53')

CONVERSIONS: 0

PENALTIES: 1 (De Goede 33')

More than 440,000 tickets overall were sold for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, which was hosted across 8 different venues around England. The Red Roses, saw the highest of that, selling out every single one of their games. For the final, there was a world-record breaking attendance of 81,885 the highest for any women's rugby match. The roar from the stands around the stadium cheering with every tackle, every carry, every run and when England finished as victors Swing Low, Sweet Chariot rung out around the stadium.

For the first time ever the pitch at Twickenham was prepared by an all-female team of grounds staff led by Naquita Lloyd-Edwards.

England win the Women's World Cup after victory in the final against Canada. The Red Roses, have been at the top of the game for many year having just participated in their fourth consecutive Women's World Cup final, having won it twice previously, and also beating Canada in the final in 2014.

Hannah Botterman received a yellow card from referee Hollie Davidson and was sent to the sin bin in the 52nd minute of the game after a dangerous tip tackle on Canada's Karen Paquin. With England now a player down for 10 minutes, and the Canadians exploited the player advantage pretty much immediately with Asia Hogan-Rochester getting her second and Canada's second try of the game.

Kicking Canadian Lock Sophie De Goede named World Rugby Women's Player of the year after an incredible comeback from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament she suffered back in June 2024. The Canadian, who plays her club rugby for Saracens in the PWR played a key part in Canada, whom had to crowd fund for support in getting to the World Cup, finishing runners up in this World Cup.