Despite times this Women’s Rugby World Cup where it looked like England has lost the edge that they have held over the rest of the women’s rugby world for the last decade, they proved why they were world number one’s tonight at the Allianz Stadium, becoming World Champions on home turf for the first time ever.
In front of a packed 81,885 strong crowd - the biggest one in women’s rugby history - the Red Roses put on a clinical performance against world number two’s Canada, coming away with a 33 - 13 victory.
This has righted the wrongs of England’s last World Cup campaign, when the Red Roses’ lost to the Black Ferns in Eden Park in the last seven minutes of the game. Today, they weren’t going to let that happen again, and despite playing a man down for part of the second half, were unflinching in their quest for victory.
Canada, who are a primarily amateur team despite being number two in the world, and who crowd funded to reach the World Cup, put on a sensational performance, tirelessly attacking the Red Roses’ 22.
However, despite their tempo and aggression annihilating other opponents over the last three weeks, it could not keep up with the physicality and inventiveness of England’s performance, who were on their best form of the whole competition.
This match was truly the fitting end to a record-breaking, biggest-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup, with the cheers of the joyous home crowd at the 80th minute whistle shaking the very pitch where such world class rugby just occurred.
The Sporting News is following the England vs. Canada match live, providing score updates and commentary
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England vs Canada score
| Score | Tries (conv) | Penalties | |
| England | 33 | Kildunne 7' (Harrison), Cockayne 18' (Harrison), Matthews 25' (Harrison), Ward 49' (Harrison), Matthews 67' (Harrison) | |
| Canada | 13 | Hogan-Rochester 5', Hogan-Rochester 53' | De Goede 33' |
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (UK)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Starting XVs:
England: 15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cockayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Talling, 5 - Ward, 6 - Aldcroft (c), 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews
France: 15 - Schell, 14 - Corrigan, 13 - Symonds, 12 - Tessier, 11 - Hogan-Rochester, 10 - Perry, 9 - Pelletier, 1 - Hunt, 2 - Tuttosi, 3 - Menin, 4 - De Goede, 5 - O’Donnell, 6 - Crossley, 7 - Paquin, 8 - Forteza
MORE: Full schedule, bracket, results from Women's Rugby World Cup
England vs. Canada live updates, highlights, and commentary
15:58 - God Save The King echoes through a full capacity Allianz Stadium, as England gear up for their first ever home Women's Rugby World Cup final.
16:00 - Kick off. The battle for World Champion of the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup ever is underway.
4': Canada get the first points of the match, as Hogan-Rochester runs down the wing to touch the ball down. Unfortunately, the kick bounces off the posts - no conversion.
7': Kildunne is too good! To the roars of Twickenham, she dodges through the Canadian defence to touch down right next to the posts. Harrison converts to put the Red Roses in the lead.
11': The English line out isn't as seamless as usual, and although Kabeya crosses the line, the ref rules a knock on.
18': England's infamous maul is back in action, as they power across the line for Cockayne to touch down their second try.
25': The Red Roses extend their lead, as Matthews leaps across the whitewash. Harrison's expert boot effortlessly converts.
31': After several phases just metres from England's tryline, the Red Roses' defence prove why they are the best in the world as they successfully dismantle Canada's attempt.
33': Canada earn some much needed points from De Goede's successful penalty kick.
36': The Red Roses cross the line again, but it is ruled no try - again.
40': As half time rings in, England have successfully deterred Canada from spending any significant time in their 22 - and the scoreboard reflects it.
45': Despite England with nearly triple the points, the two nations are very well matched as the second half gets underway, both struggling to make metres into the other's territory.
49': Botterman's farm carrying metres earn England a scrum right infront of the Canada posts. They don't waste it, and score the first try of the second half as Ward crosses over. Harrison's kick hits the post - but goes in. Another seven points for the Red Roses.
52': Botterman is dealt a yellow card. England must be getting flashbacks of three years ago, when they were also leading before going a man down.
53': Canada don't hesitate to take advantage, as Hogan-Rochester drives over. De Goede makes a rare mistake and her conversion does not go in.
58': The Maple Leafs are straight back on the offensive, but after five minutes of successive phases and attempts, the English defence is simply too strong and forces a knock-on.
59': Clifford, golden try scorer, enters the field to the cheers of Twickenham, replacing Breach.
60': England start to deploy their famous 'finishers', as Atkin-Davies, Bern and Packer take the stage.
67': Talk about momentum! Harrison barrels through the Canadian defence before Matthews finishes the job for England's fifth try. Ten minutes to go, and England are up 20 points.
77': Kabeya is announced as MasterCard Player fo the Match, as well as the record-breaking attendance: a staggering 81,885.
79': Sweet Chariots echoes through Twickenham as the final goes into its final minute, and the home crowd gears to celebrate a historic moment ....
80': They've done it. England are World Champions on home turf for the first time ever, as the perfect culmination of the biggest and best Women's Rugby World Cup ever.
England vs. Canada kick off time
The final kicks off in Twickenham, UK at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 27 | 11:30 a.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Sep. 27 | 08:30 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Sep. 27 | 4:30 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Sep. 27 | 1:30 a.m. AEST |
England vs. Canada lineups, team news
England are bringing out the same starting XV that faced France, as head coach John Mitchell continues to employ his tactics of a strong starting XV bolstered by game changing finishers.
Amy Cockayne, Sadia Kabeya, Jess Breach and Natasha Hunt, some of the Red Roses' most effective try scorers, all remain in the starting lineup.
Zoe Harrison, who was clinical with her conversions against France, is back at the much contested flyhalf position.
Megan Jones, who has recently been announced as a nominee for World Rugby Women’s 15’s Player of the Year, will also be on the field and will be pitted against a fellow nominee, Sophie de Goede on the Canadian side.
Last year’s winner of the prestigious award, Ellie Kildunne, is taking up her familiar position at full back, after she scored two sensational tries in the semifinal against France.
England starting XV:
15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cockayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Talling, 5 - Ward, 6 - Aldcroft (c), 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews
Replacements:
16 - Atkin-Davies, 17 - Clifford, 18 - Bern, 19 - Galligan, 20 - Feaunati, 21 - Packer, 22 - Aitchison, 23 - Rowland
Full England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt) Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing
Canada are bringing out the exact same team that dominated against New Zealand last weekend, after they managed to effortlessly control and manipulate the game for 80 minutes.
Semifinal Player of the Match Justine Pelletier is back at scrum half after being described as the ‘key to unlocking our tempo play’ by captain Alex Tessier off the back of last week.
Established try scorers Julia Schell, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan also return to the starting XV.
Sophie de Goede, who was recently announced as a nominee for World Rugby 15s Player of the Year, is at her established lock position, although she is sure to be used as Canada’s preference for taking conversions with her unfailingly accurate boot.
Canada starting XV:
15 - Schell, 14 - Corrigan, 13 - Symonds, 12 - Tessier, 11 - Hogan-Rochester, 10 - Perry, 9 - Pelletier, 1 - Hunt, 2 - Tuttosi, 3 - Menin, 4 - De Goede, 5 - O’Donnell, 6 - Crossley, 7 - Paquin, 8 - Forteza
Replacements:
16 - Boag, 17 - Kassil, 18 - DeMerchant, 19 -Beukeboom, 20 - Royer, 21 - Senft, 22 - Apps, 23 - Seumanutafa
Full Canada squad
Forwards: Tyson Beukeboom, Gillian Boag, Caroline Crossley, Sophie de Goede, Olivia DeMerchant, Fabiola Forteza, McKinley Hunt, Brittany Kassil, Taylor McKnight, DaLeaka Menin, Maya Montiel, Mikiela Nelson, Courtney O’Donnell, Julia Omokhuale, Karen Paquin, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Rachel Smith, Emily Tuttosi
Backs: Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan, Paige Farries, Claire Gallagher, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Sarah Maude-Lachance, Justine Pelletier, Taylor Perry, Julia Schell, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Florence Symonds, Alex Tessier
Where to watch Women's Rugby World Cup
USA
Free-to-air channel: CBS, CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+
The England vs. Canada match for the final of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Fubo and Paramount+. The game will be available on CBS and CBS Sports Network in the United States.
Canada
Free-to-air channel: TSN 1, TSN 3
Live stream: Amazon Prime via TSN+
The England vs. Canada match for the final of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup can be streamed on Amazon Prime via TSN+. The game will be available on TSN 1 and TSN 3 in Canada.