Final Recap: England Claims the World Cup Crown
In front of a packed Twickenham with about 80,000 fans, England edged past Canada 33-13 to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup title. Canada opened the scoring early, as Asia Hogan-Rochester crossed for a try in the 6th minute, giving the Canadians a fleeting lead—their only advantage of the match. From there, England established control, weaving together possession and phase play to dominate the scoreboard and the rhythm of the game.
The reigning champions leveraged their depth and experience, sealing a third World Cup title in the 15s format. England’s strength in numbers and a systematic game plan allowed them to weather Canada’s early momentum and execute when it mattered most.
Canada’s World Cup Run and Tonight’s Setback
Canada’s journey to the final highlighted the country’s emergence in global women’s rugby, including impressive wins over traditional powerhouses. The team’s campaign also underscored ongoing challenges, such as funding and resources, which have historically varied between programs in Canada and England. In the lead-up to the tournament, the squad launched a crowdfunding effort to support players on the road to Twickenham, a testament to the dedication of a program investing in competitive performance on the world stage.
England’s appearance in a seventh consecutive final—an enduring hallmark of their rugby heritage—set the backdrop for a match that tested both teams’ resolve. Canada reached this stage for just the second time in its history, one more chapter in a narrative that began with a prior showdown against England in 2014.
Key Moments and Player Performances
Australia-born? No—oops. The match featured standout moments from both sides. Asia Hogan-Rochester’s early try gave Canada hope, but England’s offense soon found its rhythm. In the second half, Hogan-Rochester struck again at the 53rd minute, a period highlighted by a temporary English setback when a yellow card reduced their numbers. England replied with clinical finishing, and their multi-try output sealed the result.
England’s pressure was embodied by Alex Matthews, who touched down twice, while Zoe Harrison added four conversions to convert opportunities into points. For Canada, captain Alex Tessier spoke after the match about the team’s performance: “We started the match a little too slowly. We couldn’t impose our rhythm, missed a few connections, and that cost us. There wasn’t panic, but we didn’t play our style.”
Analysis and Aftermath
Analysts pointed to several turning points, including Canada’s difficulties at the lineouts and scrums, which allowed England to gain parity and then momentum in the set pieces. While Canada maintained some pressure, their execution in crucial moments didn’t match England’s precision, particularly in converting chances when the teams were at parity or in turnover situations.
Canada’s coach, Kevin Rouet, reflected on the broader picture: “Against England, you must score when you have opportunities, and we missed a few today.” The result did not obscure a tournament that underscored Canada’s emergence on rugby’s global map and its potential to compete with the sport’s most established programs. The Canadian team also claimed Olympic-level confidence earlier, having earned silver in the sevens format at the Paris Games, illustrating continued growth across formats.
The match also carried political and cultural significance, with dignitaries and fans acknowledging the rise of women’s rugby and the sport’s growing reach in Canada and beyond. As the bronze medalists—New Zealand—topped France for third place, the tournament closed with a sense of forward momentum for the sport globally.
Looking Ahead for Canada and Women’s Rugby
Canada leaves Twickenham with a powerful message: the program is building toward sustained success, supported by a growing player base and increasing visibility on the world stage. The experience against England will inform preparations for future cycles, as Canadian rugby seeks to convert positive results into tournament medals and continued development for its players at every level.
