England's Women put on a dominant display as they took a 33-13 win over Canada to seal a dream Rugby World Cup win at home for the Red Roses in front of over 80,000 fans watching them secure their third World Cup title.
The record-breaking crowd witnessed a gripping final between the top two ranked teams in the world, with the stands packed to capacity and even Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney among those in attendance.
Canada made the perfect start. After early pressure down the left, winger Asia Hogan-Rochester was unleashed on the blindside and dived over for the opening try.
Skipper Sophie de Goede struck the post with her conversion, but the North Americans had the early breakthrough.
England dominated throughout the first half to establish their lead
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England replied in devastating fashion. Ellie Kildunne produced a moment of individual brilliance, bulldozing through two defenders before racing clear to score.
Zoe Harrison converted, and moments later England’s set-piece power came to the fore. From a lineout, their maul surged over and hooker Amy Cokayne grounded, Harrison again flawless with the extras.
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Their dominance continued as scrum-half Natasha Hunt broke from the base before finding Alex Matthews, who powered through to score England’s third try. Canada clawed back three points through a de Goede penalty, but the Red Roses hit back almost instantly.
After hammering away at the line, lock Abbie Ward finally found a way over for their fourth. Harrison’s conversion attempt thudded against the post, but England were 26–8 ahead and seemingly in full control.
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Ellie Kildunne proved pivotal for the Red Roses once again
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Early in the second half, England suffered a setback when prop Hannah Botterman was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Karen Paquin, reducing them to 14 players. Canada tried to capitalise and finally did.
Moving the ball wide with precision, they worked space for Hogan-Rochester, who finished clinically on the left to claim her second try of the final. The conversion missed, but the gap narrowed to 26–13 and the contest was alive once more.
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For a spell around the hour mark, Canada had England wobbling. The Red Roses conceded a penalty for offside and looked vulnerable close to their own line. But with the try line beckoning, Canada spilled the ball under the posts — a critical knock-on at a pivotal moment in the contest.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric throughout the final
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England put the game beyond doubt when veteran Alex Matthews, a member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad, crashed over in trademark fashion, hitting low and hard through the line. Harrison added the another conversion leaving Twickenham to breathe a collective sigh of relief as the Red Roses’ dominance was cemented.
The Red Roses will now go onto celebrate one of the most important wins in their history as they share their victory in front of the biggest audience Women's rugby has ever seen.