England’s Red Roses etched their names into the history books with a commanding 33-13 victory over Canada at Allianz Stadium to win the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, their first since 2014.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of 81,885 fans, England’s women delivered a performance of power, precision, and pride, extending their unbeaten run to 33 matches and lifting the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil.
Tries from Ellie Kildunne, Amy Cokayne, Alex Matthews (2), and Abbie Ward, alongside eight points from the boot of Zoe Harrison, secured the triumph.
Canada started brightly, striking first after just five minutes when wing Asia Hogan-Rochester finished a wide attacking move. But England responded with typical resilience: Kildunne’s dazzling solo effort from 40 metres ignited the Red Roses’ charge, before Cokayne and Matthews added scores built on relentless forward power.
Heroic defence, typified by captain Zoe Aldcroft’s crucial turnover on the half-hour mark — and disciplined kicking saw England wrestle control despite Canada’s spirited resistance. Ward’s second-half try and Matthews’ late clincher sealed the nation’s most famous victory in women’s rugby.
At full-time, the celebrations were as emotional as they were euphoric.
The Champions’ Reception
The Red Roses will now celebrate their world title with fans at the Champions Party at Battersea Power Station, London, on Sunday, 28 September. The free event begins at 2pm with live entertainment, before the players arrive at 3pm for interviews, trophy lifts, and a walk-through with supporters. The celebration will also be broadcast live on BBC One and England Rugby’s YouTube channel.
“We are so proud of our world champion Red Roses for their historic win in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney. “To achieve this in England and at Allianz Stadium, the home of England Rugby, makes this victory even more rewarding. Our congratulations go to the entire playing squad and management team on this monumental achievement.”
Andria Vidler, Chief Executive of Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, added: “What an inspiring performance from the Red Roses and a fitting climax to the most amazing summer for women’s sport. Through playing The National Lottery the public have been backing women’s rugby and the Red Roses for over 20 years… Therefore, we are delighted to be able to support this historic event so the public get another chance to celebrate alongside their World Champions.”
Fans are advised to use public transport due to limited parking.
RugbyFest – Legacy in Action
Celebrations won’t end in London. From 3–6 October, rugby clubs nationwide will host RugbyFest, a grassroots festival as part of Impact ’25, the government and National Lottery-backed legacy programme. Members of the victorious England squad will visit local clubs to inspire the next generation.
Voices of the Champions
The Red Roses spoke with pride about their achievement:
- Natasha Hunt: “To walk out here in front of nearly 82,000 fans and perform like that and get the job done I could not be prouder of the girls. I’m so overwhelmed. I’m absolutely buzzed.”
- Abbie Ward: “This is a new chapter of women’s rugby. This team has been special. What we’ve done has been special.”
- Meg Jones: “It is just amazing how far this game has come and hopefully we can just keep the momentum up.”
- Ellie Kildunne: “We thrive in this – we have big game players who love the pressure. People care and people want to watch us play.”
- Morwenna Talling: “This tournament has put women’s rugby on the map.”
- Maud Muir: “It was about believing in ourselves, believing in our game plan and executing it for 80 minutes.”
- Sadia Kabeya: “To win at home in front of a record-breaking crowd you cannot ask for more. I hope more people are going to pick up a ball — because rugby is for all shapes and sizes.”
A nation united, a team immortalised. England’s Red Roses are world champions once again — and their victory promises to inspire generations to come.
