England Women’s Triumphant Overall Win in the Rugby World Cup 2025

History was made as England Women triumphed on the biggest stage, lifting the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup after a thrilling campaign. In front of a roaring crowd, the Red Roses delivered a performance full of passion, power, and precision to claim the title and cement their place at the very top of the women’s game.

In this blog, you’ll dive into:

• Full match recap
• Standout performances & player highlights
• England’s road to glory
• The electric atmosphere that carried the team and their fans to this historic World Cup victory

Full Match Recap

The stage was set. On 27 September 2025, in front of a record crowd of 81,885 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, England and Canada clashed for the ultimate prize – and the Red Roses delivered when it mattered most.

The match began with a shock. In just the 5th minute, Canada’s dynamic winger Asia Hogan-Rochester powered down the flank and finished a slick counter-attack, giving Canada an early 5-0 lead (and Sophie de Goede’s conversion attempt struck the post).

But England responded within minutes with authority. Ellie Kildunne broke through the Canadian defence, slipping past two defenders and diving in under the posts. With Zoe Harrison’s straightforward conversion, England flipped the lead to 7-5.

Then came England’s forward power. A rolling maul set the platform for Amy Cokayne to crash over, Harrison again tacked on the extras, and soon after an offload from scrum-half Natasha Hunt put Alex Matthews over for England’s third. By about the 19th minute, England were ahead 21–5.

Canada weren’t done. In the 33rd minute, captain Sophie de Goede slotted a penalty, nudging the scoreboard to 8-21.

England nearly stretched their lead further before half-time – another Cokayne try was chalked off for obstruction – but the first half ended with England firmly in control.

Half-time score: England 21 – Canada 8

Not long into the second half, England extended their lead. From a dominant scrum position, Abbie Ward powered over in close quarters. Harrison’s conversion attempt rebounded off the post – but still, England had stretched the lead to 26-8.

The momentum shifted momentarily when England were reduced to 14 players after Hannah Botterman was yellow-carded for an illegal tackle. Canada seized the opportunity: in the 53rd minute, Hogan-Rochester scored her second try in the corner. Another missed conversion left Canada trailing 13-26 – but hope flickered.

But England wouldn’t be denied. As Canada pressed, the hosts found room. With about 11 minutes to go, Alex Matthews capped off her outstanding afternoon by crashing over for her second try, and Harrison’s conversion sealed the deal.

Canada launched one last surge in the closing minutes, but England’s unbeatable defence held fast.

The final whistle blew and the margin told the story: England 33, Canada 13

Standout Performances & Player Highlights

Sadia Kabeya was everywhere. Named Player of the Match, she was a relentless force at the breakdown, disrupting Canada’s flow and turning over possession at key moments. Every tackle felt like a statement, and her work rate set the tone for England’s defensive dominance.

Ellie Kildunne lit up the final with her trademark flair. Her early try – dancing past defenders with pace and confidence – settled England’s nerves and reminded the crowd why she’s one of the most exciting backs in the game. Every time she had the ball, you could feel the buzz ripple through the stadium.

Up front, Amy Cokayne and Abbie Ward showed why England’s pack is feared worldwide. Cokayne’s finishing power off the maul was unstoppable, while Ward’s second-half try was the hammer blow that kept Canada at arm’s length.

And then there was Alex Matthews – a rock in defence and a wrecking ball in attack. Scoring twice in a World Cup final is the stuff of legends, and Matthews did it with a calm authority that summed up England’s composure under pressure.

This final wasn’t just about individuals – it was about collective grit. But when history looks back on this game, the names Kabeya, Kildunne, Cokayne, Ward, and Matthews will be written in bold.

England’s Road to Glory

England’s Rugby World Cup 2025 triumph wasn’t won in a single night – it was built across weeks of dominance, grit, and moments of brilliance. From the opening pool game to the Twickenham final, the Red Roses left no doubt that they were the team to beat. Here’s how their journey unfolded:

Pool Stage: Setting the Tone

England opened their campaign with an emphatic win over Fiji, running in tries for fun and showing off their attacking depth. It was the perfect warm-up – fast, fearless rugby that sent an early message to their rivals.

Next came Australia, a trickier test, but England’s forwards controlled the breakdown and their backs finished clinically. A composed performance delivered a comfortable win and sealed qualification for the knockouts with a game to spare.

The final pool match against Wales had a derby feel, but England showed their composure under pressure. With a mix of sharp kicking from Zoe Harrison and hard carries from Alex Matthews, they closed out a clean sweep in the group.

Quarter-Final: Power Play

Drawn against Ireland, England wasted no time in stamping their authority. A relentless maul game, combined with tries from Amy Cokayne and Ellie Kildunne, left Ireland chasing shadows. It wasn’t just a victory – it was a showcase of England’s ruthless efficiency when the stakes began to rise.

Semi-Final: The Big Test

The semi-final against France was the classic nail-biter everyone expected. France’s flair and intensity pushed England to their limits, but the Red Roses showed champion mentality. Sadia Kabeya’s defensive heroics and a late surge from the pack edged England clear, booking their ticket to the Twickenham final. It was the toughest hurdle – and England cleared it with courage.

Final: Glory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

And then, the grand stage: England vs Canada in front of a record-breaking home crowd. Canada shocked early with a try, but England’s response was emphatic. Kildunne’s brilliance, Matthews’ double, and Ward’s forward power sealed a 33-13 victory. The final whistle unleashed scenes of pure joy – England were world champions once again.

The Bigger Picture

From pool stage dominance to knockout resilience, England’s journey was a masterclass in tournament rugby. They combined flair with power, youth with experience, and turned past heartbreak into history. Their unbeaten run stretched to 33 games, their legacy grew, and on home soil, the Red Roses lifted the trophy they had chased for so long.

This was more than just a win. It was a statement: England are the queens of world rugby!

An Electric Atmosphere at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

If there was ever a night that proved rugby belongs on the biggest stage, it was the World Cup final at Twickenham. From the first notes of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to the deafening roar as the Red Roses lifted the trophy, the atmosphere was spine-tingling.

A record-breaking crowd of more than 80,000 turned the home of English rugby into a sea of white shirts, flags, and pure passion. Every carry, every tackle, and every point was met with thunderous applause that drove England forward. It wasn’t just a match – it felt like a national celebration.

And the support reached far beyond the stadium. BBC Sport made broadcasting history, with a record-breaking 5.8 million viewers tuning in across TV and streaming – the largest ever audience for a women’s rugby match. Living rooms, pubs, and fan zones across the country erupted together as England sealed their third World Cup crown.

The connection between team and fans was unmissable. You could see it in the players’ faces during the anthems, hear it in the chants that rolled around Twickenham, and feel it in the explosion of joy when the final whistle blew. Players collapsed in tears of joy, others sprinted to embrace loved ones, and captain Marlie Packer lifted the trophy into the night sky as fireworks lit up the stadium.

The celebrations spilled across the nation. Social media buzzed with tributes from former players, celebrities, and even the Prime Minister, while hashtags celebrating the Red Roses trended worldwide. In pubs and fan zones, strangers hugged like old friends.

Back in the dressing room, the party atmosphere was unstoppable – music blasting, medals flashing, and champagne showers as the team revelled in the reality of being world champions. Plans for a victory parade quickly began, promising to bring the celebrations to fans everywhere.

For England, this was more than a trophy lift. It was a statement of resilience, a moment of national pride, and a celebration of how far the women’s game has come. The Red Roses didn’t just win a World Cup – they united a nation in joy.

The Internation Rugby Action Doesn’t Stop There…

With the 2025 Quilter Nations Series on the horizon and the 2026 Guinness Sx Nations just around the corner, there’s still plenty of international Rugby to look forward to!

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