Rain-soaked celebrations as England clinch a historic victory
The euphoria around England’s Red Roses reached fever pitch as the team clinched the Rugby World Cup, beating Canada 33-13 in a final watched by a nation and celebrated in cities across the country. In London, thousands gathered to mark the win, while a world-record crowd of 81,885 had already roared England on at the Allianz Stadium. The mood was jubilant, the rain couldn’t dampen the sense that a landmark moment had arrived for women’s sport.
From the stadium to the streets: a nation celebrates
At Battersea Power Station, the victory party hummed with songs, selfies, and a steady flow of well-wishers joining in the chorus. Some players admitted the overnight revels had bled into Sunday mornings, yet the energy never waned as the squad led singalongs, thanked supporters, and soaked in the atmosphere that comes with making history on the world stage. The moment felt as if the country’s top sporting week had culminated in a broader triumph for English women in sport.
Leadership, gratitude and a team that’s “fun but driven”
England’s head coach John Mitchell spoke to the crowd about the squad’s rare blend of enjoyment and seriousness. “They are unreal to work with every day,” he said, praising a group that combines hard work with an infectious love of the game. The celebrations also spotlighted stars and champions from other codes, underscoring a summer when English women’s sport has shone—from football to athletics—and reinforced a narrative of rising female excellence across sport.
A watershed moment for women’s rugby and grassroots sport
As the team celebrated, advocates for the sport emphasized the broader impact. Abby Dow, a winger for the Red Roses, urged leaders to nurture the momentum, arguing that rugby has the power to change lives at the grassroots level. “We’ve got the ball rolling and I don’t want it to stop,” she said, highlighting the sport’s potential to shed stereotypes and spread north and beyond traditional rugby strongholds. Dow framed the win as a statement for women’s sport in general, not just a single medal.
Fostering opportunity and closing gaps
The Rugby Football Union has set ambitious targets, aiming for 100,000 women and girls playing by 2027, a leap of 40,000 from current levels. The plan also includes greater investment in the women’s game, with the aim of a self-sustaining structure by 2031. Natasha Hunt echoed calls for a more level playing field across nations, arguing that sustained investment by more rugby powers could lift standards and create closer, more compelling contests—an outcome that would benefit fans and players alike.
Looking to the future: turning triumph into lasting change
Public enthusiasm for women’s rugby has been undeniable, and experts say the World Cup has produced a blueprint for how to grow the sport sustainably. Ali Donnelly, whose book Scrum Queens chronicles the sport’s rise, reminded listeners of the journey from near invisibility to global attention. The pace of change over the past few years has been extraordinary, and the current window offers a unique chance to translate this moment into lasting outcomes for aspiring players, coaches, and communities.
A legacy beyond the trophy
Beyond the glittering final and the record TV audience—the BBC reported a peak of 5.8 million viewers, a record for the women’s game—the conversation now centers on what comes next. The win is framed as a victory for women’s sport as a whole, not merely a single tournament. If the sport’s governing bodies and clubs seize the momentum, the next generation of players could grow up with direct pathways, investment, and inspiration that begin with this World Cup triumph.
