England face Canada in Women's Rugby World Cup final: key battles to win

England will defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title against Canada at Twickenham on Saturday after Canada outclassed holders New Zealand to reach the final. Ranked No. 2 in the world, Kevin Rouet's side have been outstanding throughout the tournament and arrive in London with confidence that they can upset the hosts at the final whistle. The Red Roses, bidding for a first World Cup since 2014, know they will have to win a series of battles across the field if they are to lift the trophy on home soil.

The most telling clash may come at the scrum, where Canada's DaLeaka Menin looms as a formidable obstacle for England. Menin, described by Canada’s head coach Rouet as the best tight-head in the world, started all five games this World Cup and produced 13 carries against New Zealand—the second-most by any Canadian in that game. She is a cornerstone of Canada’s pack, and she will test England loose-head Hannah Botterman, whose scrummaging has improved under coach James Mitchell and who has earned a regular starting role. England will be keen to lockdown the scrum and deny Menin the platform to win the physical battles that set up Canada’s attacking sequences.

But the Canadians are not merely a power game. In De Goede, Canada possess a back-row star who has re-emerged as a world-class operator after returning from injury. The 26-year-old Saracens forward has been in sparkling form, earning Player of the Match honors in both the pool-stage win over Wales and the quarter-final victory over Australia. She also leads the tournament in goal-kicking with 21 successful kicks and has crossed for tries in both knockout games. Her all-round game—size, pace and ball-carrying ability—will require England to be disciplined and structured at the breakdown. England’s Morwenna Talling has grown into a key counterweight in the pack, and coaches will be hoping she can blunt De Goede’s influence with effective mauls and physicality at the contact area.

The battle at scrum-half will be equally fascinating. Justine Pelletier has been one of Canada’s standout performers, earning Player of the Match in the semi-final win over the Black Ferns. The 29-year-old plays her club rugby in France for Stade Bordelais and operates with high energy around the breakdown, frequently striking early in the ruck to create quick ball for De Goede and Tessier. Pelletier’s one-handed offload helped send De Goede through for a try against New Zealand, underscoring her creativity and willingness to push England’s defense off balance. England's own scrum-half Natasha Hunt, 36, offers a contrasting style—steadier tempo and a clever kicking game designed to slow Canada’s momentum and give England’s back three chances to counter. Hunt’s control could prove crucial in keeping England’s defense connected around the rucks and fringes.

Centre defense will also be a focal point. Tessier, who captains Canada and can operate at fly-half, has been central to linking Canada’s attack. She set up a try and crossed for a score against the Black Ferns, and her ability to move the ball quickly through the channels will test England’s midfield partnership of Heard and Megan Jones. Heard has been a reliable contributor for England but has yet to hit her best form this tournament. England’s centers will need to deny Tessier space, crowd the ruck area, and resist Canada’s pace through Tessier’s distribution channel.

On the England side, Natasha Hunt’s leadership at nine and the dynamic pace of England’s back three will shape England’s counter-attacking threat. Asia Hogan-Rochester, who has three tries this World Cup and boasts Olympic sevens experience, provides a real game-breaker for Canada. The wing’s speed and confidence were evident in her performances this season, including a storied display against the Black Ferns. England’s wings will need to stay tight on Hogan-Rochester and convert defensive pressure into turnover opportunities while England’s own finishing talent, led by Dow, will be set to strike when gaps appear in Canada’s outside defense.

The match will also hinge on discipline and physicality in the tight phases. England’s coaching staff has stressed that ill-discipline could prove costly against a Canada side that thrives on momentum and quick ball. The battle of personnel and technique in the scrum and the maul will be closely watched, as will the efficiency of the ruck and the speed at which ball moves to England’s dangerous backline runners. In particular, the role of replacement Lucy Parker—used by head coach Simon Middleton to bring energy off the bench—could be decisive if Canada’s forwards dominate early and England need fresh legs to maintain tempo late in the game.

In short, England’s path to defending their title at Twickenham will be defined by a handful of pivotal duels: Menin against Botterman at the scrum; De Goede against Talling in bulk and at the break; Pelletier against Hunt around the breakdown; Tessier against Heard in midfield link play; and Hogan-Rochester against Dow on the flanks. Each matchup carries potential swing moments that could decide the outcome in a game expected to be tight, physical and finely balanced.

England will lean on their own strengths—structure, trust in the set-piece, and lethal counter-attacks—from deep within their back three—to blunt Canada’s well-drilled attacking unit. How well England can impose their game plan while neutralizing Canada’s multi-faceted threats will determine whether they can claim a second World Cup title on home soil or whether Canada’s world-class pack and dynamic backs can pull off a shock at Twickenham.