England overpower Canada to win Rugby World Cup

2 hours ago 9

Media caption,

'She has no right to get through there' - Kildunne gives England the lead

ByAlastair Telfer

BBC Sport journalist at Twickenham

Women's Rugby World Cup final

Canada (8) 13

Tries: Hogan-Rochester 2 Pen: De Goede

England (21) 33

Tries: Kildunne, Cokayne, Matthews 2, Ward Cons: Harrison 4

England produced a dominant performance to defeat Canada at Twickenham and win the Women's Rugby World Cup for a third time.

In front of a record women's rugby crowd of 81,885, the Red Roses, who lost the previous two finals to New Zealand, laid that ghost to rest with display built on their power up front and defensive excellence.

That final defeat by the Black Ferns three years ago remains England's last loss as they extended their record winning run to 33 games.

Having conceded an early score to Asia Hogan-Rochester, the hosts responded through a sensational score by Ellie Kildunne.

Hooker Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews then crossed as John Mitchell's side took control of the final, with Sophie de Goede converting a penalty to keep Canada within two scores.

Abbie Ward grabbed the first try of the second half before Hogan-Rochester bagged her second score.

However, Matthews' second try from close range after brave defence sealed the game for the Red Roses.

Canada, who came into the final 95% of the way towards their million-dollar fundraising goal entitled 'Mission: Win Rugby World Cup' - which was set up to help them compete with the world's best-funded teams, comfortably defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals and arguably had played the best rugby in the tournament.

However, on the biggest stage when it mattered most, Mitchell's team outperformed the world's number two ranked side to become world champions for the first time since 2014 - when they also defeated Canada.

The result caps a memorable year for women's sport in England after football's Lionesses retained their European title at Euro 2025 in July.

More to follow.

Line-ups

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews.

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.

Canada: Schell; Corrigan, Symonds, Tessier (capt), Hogan-Rochester; Perry, Pelletier; Hunt, Tuttosi, Menin, De Goede, O'Donnell, Crossley, Paquin, Forteza.

Replacements: Boag, Kassil, Demerchant, Beukeboom, Royer, Senft, Apps, Seumenutafa.