England are the Champions of the World
MATCH REPORT: It was third time lucky for England as they claimed the 2025 World Cup title with their 33-13 victory over Canada in the Final at Twickenham on Saturday.
The No. 1-ranked team in the world had won their last 32 matches; Canada, ranked second, was unbeaten in 2025
England previously lost two World Cup finals.
But in front of a record crowd for women’s rugby of 82,500, the Red Roses kept their best for last by smothering any attack Canada threw at them.
Amy Cockayne grabbed a brace, eleven years since she was at the 2014 World Cup.
Canada was off to a dream start as they got the turnover and made it count to capitalize on England’s error at the set-piece for Asia Hogan-Rochester to streak down the touchline and stroll over for the try.
But England struck right back with a sensational solo effort from Ellie Kildunne to dodge several Canadian defenders and scored under the sticks. Zoe Harrison converted for England to take an early lead for the first time.
It was something out of nothing. She just sliced through like she had an invisible cloak on. It was a step back inside, just like in the semifinal.
England’s second try came after Canada conceded the penalty for offside, and England kicked for the corner to set up the lineout on the 5m.
Red Roses set the rolling maul to walk over the line, and Amy Cokayne dotted down for a well-worked team try.
Canada was conceding penalties under pressure as England sought a third try.
England are on top of the world 🌍#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/8IupiuoKhV
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2025
It was raid after raid with one scrum after another on the 5m, testing the Canadian defence.
It was bound to come as Aice Matthews finally stepped over the line, taking England to a 21-5 lead.
Canada had a good response, whose pack had England on the ropes.
The pressure paid off, and Sophie de Goede sent a penalty kick through the uprights.
Canada was desperate for points before halftime, but the turnover queen, Hannah Botterman, got her hands all over the ball.
England immediately turned the screws on again at the start of the second half.
And Canada was backpaddling, losing two line-outs in a row at a critical moment. Against a team like England, you just can’t afford to do that.
A scrum five metres out in front of the Canadian goalposts followed. They inched toward the line and got the try.
Botterman got her marching orders for a dangerous tackle. Could Canada take advantage?
They started a maul, and it worked out as Hogan-Rochester got over in the far corner. The conversion was too low, but the score closed to 13-26.
Canada once came rumbling, and almost got there. A touchfinder got them to within five metres.
They mauled once more, the forwards were lining up, hunting in packs of three, and they won another penalty. But they lost the ball at a critical time.
That was the moment Canada would rue for not scoring. They had England under pressure, right under the posts. They had to score. But they didn’t.
The clock was ticking, and through Canada’s desperation, the errors were piling up.
Alex Matthews grabbed her second try, Harrison converted, and the score stretched to 33-13.
The engraving gun was fired up, and England was en route to lift the trophy.
Canada had made 178 tackles with five minutes to go and was denied any opportunities to get creative. They came properly undone against the quality of the Red Roses.
Player of the Match: Flanker Saida Kabeya of England – she made 19 tackles, was a menace in the loose, and worked tirelessly to the final whistle.
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: Kildunne, Cokayne, Matthews 2, Ward
Cons: Harrison 5
For Canada:
Tries: Hogan-Rochester 2
Pens: De Goede
Yellow card: Hannah Botterman (England, 51’ – dangerous tackle)
Teams:
England: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Alex Matthews, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 6 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Rosie Galligan, 4 Morwenna Talling, 3 Maud Muir, 2 Amy Cokayne, 1 Hannah Botterman.
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland
Canada: 15 Julia Schell, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 13 Florence Symonds, 12 Alexandra Tessier (captain), 11 Asia Hogan-Rochester; 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier; 8 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 6 Caroline Crossley; 5 Courtney O’Donnell, 4 Sophie de Goede; 3 DaLeaka Menin, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 1 McKinley Hunt
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Laetitia Royer, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & Clara Munarini (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
