"Look back to 2014" - Sarah Hunter calls upon Women's Rugby World Cup glory days ahead of England's Final vs Canada

England handed Canada a 21-9 defeat to secure the title in 2014, with stalwart centre Emily Scarratt at the heart of the try scoring. 'Scaz' slotted three penalties, bagged a try and nailed two conversions along with a Nollie Watermann score, to take the Red Roses out of reach from the Maple Leaves.

England returned to the showpiece event for the 2017 and 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup Finals, yet on both occasions the Red Roses were undone by New Zealand in Belfast and Auckland. However, the Black Ferns will play no part in the 2025 Final, thanks to the heroics of Canada to eliminate the six-time champions at the semi-final stage. England and Canada are set to wind the clock back to 2014, for a re-peat of the famous Final from the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.

Hunter, who lifted the Women's Rugby World Cup with England in 2014, believes experience has taught her the importance of calmness and clarity. “Hopefully bringing that calmness and confidence. Trust in the process and the plan, trust each other, like past experiences. Keeping our feet where we are and staying in the moment,” Hunter explained.

“I look back to 2014 when we won and that day of the final, everyone was really relaxed, really calm. Everyone knew what the role was, what they were going to go out and do. We didn’t need to make it any bigger.”

Hunter added that England’s coaching group have kept things consistent in the build-up. “We have stuck to our process: how we review, how we preview, getting our plan ready and delivering that to the players. That’s the experience Mitch [John Mitchell] has brought and how we’ve grown: stick to what we know and go after the key things.”

England hooker Atkin-Davies acknowledged the progress of their Canadian opponents, but stressed that England’s priority is their own execution. “We massively respect the journey that they’ve been on and we know a lot of the Canadians from playing in the PWR, but the focus lies with us, making sure we get all of our processes right.”

Atkin-Davies also reflected on her personal journey, as the Bristol Bears star started her amateur career whilst being a teacher, before earning a full-time rugby contract in January 2019 when the RFU first handed out contracts to their Women's stars.

“It’s nice to reflect sometimes and see the journey that you’ve been on. It’s not always been smooth sailing for me and I think there were some difficult times when teaching and playing rugby. Obviously being professional for the last six years, I absolutely love it. Hand on heart, I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

For England lock Abbie Ward, her infant daughter Hallie has provided fresh motivation and perspective. “Hallie’s made me enjoy rugby more. I can be quite a serious individual and I’m very process driven. Coming back after maternity leave, it’s definitely made me think: get everything you can out of these moments and enjoy it,” she said. “This time in the white shirt is so little and will go so quickly.”

She added that Hallie has become a true Red Roses fan: “She’s loved this tournament, she’s loved being at the game and at the camps. She’s loved playing with the girls – she will not shut up about Amy Cokayne. In the mornings, if I want to do her hair we have to watch an Amy Cokayne [TikTok] video.”

When asked to sum up England’s keys to victory, Abbie Ward was clear: “Unity, composure and power.”

Red Roses back row Kabeya admitted her preparation starts well before kick-off, and will be once again for when the Final comes around to South West London later this week. “I’m all about looking good, feeling good, playing good. So in the week, I’ll get my nails done, I’ll do my hair, get my lashes done and I think that does play a part on game day.”

The 23-year-old also praised Marlie Packer’s mentorship, as Kabeya earned her Red Roses stripes under the watchful eye of the 2014 World Champion. Packer, along with centre Emily Scarratt, scrum half Natasha Hunt and back row Alex Matthews, represent the last of their class from when England lifted the Women's Rugby World Cup some eleven years ago.

“She’s [Packer] an absolute legend of the game." Kabeya said. "When I first came into this squad about four years ago, she took me under her wing naturally. People might be surprised because we’re in the same position and there’s competition there, but at this level it breeds greatness.”