England women’s World Cup win prompts call for lasting rugby legacy

England’s Red Roses captured the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on a day of record crowds and record expectations, beating Canada in a final watched by 81,885 spectators and extending their unbeaten run to 33 matches. The victory, achieved on home soil, underscored the rapid growth of the women’s game and capped a campaign that officials and players alike had framed as a turning point for English rugby.

Ellie Kildunne’s solo score sparked the title push, a moment described by many observers as outrageous brilliance as the full-back found space and pace in the Canadian defensive line. England’s forwards laid the foundations with a power game that allowed their backs to strike when the moment came. Captain Zoe Aldcroft was a constant nuisance at the breakdown, while Alex Matthews punched in a brace and Amy Cokayne and Abbie Ward added late scores to seal the result. The celebrations at full time were visibly emotional, with players in tears as they realized they had delivered a World Cup on home soil. Had Hannah Botterman not been yellow-carded for a tip tackle, the margin of victory might have grown even further.

The performance was praised not only for its skill but for its collective resilience in the face of pressure. England’s hierarchy has invested heavily in the women’s 15-a-side game, and the win was framed as proof that the long-term strategy is bearing fruit. The sense of occasion around Twickenham reflected a broader mood in English sport, where the summer has become a showcase for women’s teams across football and rugby.

Sir Clive Woodward, writing for the Daily Mail, argued that while the victory fulfilled expectations, it must serve as a launchpad rather than a one-off moment. He noted that England’s players deserved to celebrate, but he warned that the RFU cannot let the momentum fade in the wake of a World Cup win, as happened after the 2003 triumph. Woodward stressed that the federation should act quickly to build a lasting legacy, avoid past mistakes, and ensure the sport translates this success into sustained development on and off the field.

The case for a lasting legacy is clear. The RFU’s investment in the women’s game has produced a compelling on-field product, but the challenge now is to translate a home World Cup into regular Twickenham celebrations, increased participation at the grassroots level, and a pipeline of talent that keeps England competitive at the highest level. Woodward and others have called for concrete steps, including a recommitment to sevens—a form that has slipped from English programming in recent years—and a reintroduction of England or Great Britain sevens to broaden exposure and maintain a pathway for players who excel in breakaway formats.

The World Cup victory also sits within a broader context of a bumper year for English women’s sport. The Lionesses’ European Championship triumph earlier in the summer and subsequent visibility have created a feel-good factor that can help rugby expand its audience and deepen engagement among schools, clubs, and communities. The Red Roses’ success offers a blueprint for turning heightened profile into lasting change, but the timeline for delivery remains crucial. After 2003, England’s players returned to their clubs and the momentum risked dissipating; this time, officials say the plan is to keep the momentum alive through sustained engagement, scheduling, and investment.

In the days ahead, the focus will shift from celebration to delivery. The team will undertake visits to grassroots clubs, and the RFU will be pressured to convert the World Cup glow into tangible improvements: more regular high-profile fixtures at Twickenham, a robust domestic calendar for women’s rugby, and a clear route for players to progress from club to national level without losing momentum. Advocates also hope the success will attract new fans, sponsors, and media interest, reinforcing rugby’s status as a staple of England’s sporting calendar rather than a passing headline.

The Red Roses’ victory is thus both a culmination and a catalyst. It confirms that England can win on the biggest stage and that the support structure around the team is capable of sustaining growth. If the RFU seizes the opportunity and implements a credible, well-funded plan across sevens, 15s, and development pathways, this World Cup win could become a turning point rather than a high-water mark. As Woodward and others have suggested, the real legacy will be measured by whether English rugby can keep delivering on the momentum, making Twickenham a regular venue for women’s rugby and ensuring that the sport’s growth now becomes built into the fabric of the game rather than the exception to the rule.