England's Red Roses win Rugby World Cup at Twickenham in record crowd

England's Red Roses won the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014, defeating Canada 33-13 at Twickenham before a world‑record crowd of 82,000. The result capped a landmark comeback for a program that had endured two straight final losses and a mix of heartbreaks in recent seasons.

The victory also underscored the rapid growth of women's rugby in England. The 82,000‑strong attendance set a new global benchmark for a women's rugby match, eclipsing the 42,723 who watched England open their campaign against the United States in Sunderland seven weeks earlier and far surpassing the roughly 20,000 who saw the 2014 final in Paris. The moment was framed not only as a title win but as a turning point for the sport in the host nation.

Canada provided an early scare when Asia Hogan-Rochester crossed for a corner try, but England answered quickly, with Ellie Kildunne producing a moment of individual brilliance. From about 30 metres out, she broke through the Canadian defence, sidestepped two defenders and crossed for a try that shifted the tone of the final. Zoe Harrison added the extras, and England never relinquished the lead from that point forward. Kildunne has already shown she can deliver in big moments, having scored twice against France in the semi‑finals this tournament.

England extended their advantage with disciplined defense and clinical finishing, delivering a performance that reflected a growing maturity across the squad. The win completes a full arc from when the RFU began investing more heavily in the women’s game a decade ago and follows the decision to expand central contracts for the national team. In 2019 the RFU announced 28 players would receive full‑time England contracts; today the squad features 32 centrally contracted players, with additional players supported by their Premiership clubs.

The broader significance of the victory extended beyond the final score. Maggie Alphonsi, a former England World Cup winner, said the win would change the lives of the current squad and serve as a blueprint for how investment translates into results. The win was celebrated by players, officials and fans alike as proof that sustained backing for women’s rugby can deliver both on-field success and long‑term growth for the sport.

The Red Roses' surge to the title comes after a difficult chapter that included a painful memory from the 2017 final against New Zealand. England entered that match as favorites and began with strong pace, but a red card in the 18th minute left them playing with 14 players. They held a brief lead at halftime before New Zealand eventually pulled away to win 34‑31. The current triumph at home is often cited as evidence that the program has learned from past margins and turned heartbreak into history.

Team captain Katy Daly‑McLean, reflecting on the journey, said the atmosphere in the stadium felt like a turning point for the sport and for the players who have worked to build a professional‑level setup. Teammate Kat Merchant echoed the sentiment, noting that the win would be remembered as a catalyst for growth and opportunity for the next generation of players.

Ruby Tui, a World Cup winner with New Zealand, commented on England’s performance and singled out Kildunne for delivering under pressure. Her assessment highlighted how one memorable moment can elevate a team’s confidence and public profile, especially when a player like Kildunne makes a high‑impact break in front of a home crowd.

Canada, meanwhile, relied on grassroots support and crowdfunding to help sustain their program in the lead-up to the tournament. Their experience has helped spotlight the different financial realities that exist in women’s rugby, underscoring calls for continued investment across the sport to ensure parity with the men’s game and sustainable development for teams with fewer professional resources.

The win also reflects a broader trend across women’s rugby: teams are building depth through clear pathways, professional structures, and consistent support for players balancing sport with work and study. As England’s celebration in Twickenham demonstrated, the path from potential to performance is increasingly defined by resources, structure and a culture of long‑term planning.

In the short term, the Red Roses now look to build on this World Cup triumph by maintaining the momentum in the domestic league and in future internationals. For fans, sponsors and aspiring players, the record crowd at Twickenham signaled more than a one‑off success; it marked the emergence of a new era for women’s rugby in England and a potential model for other nations seeking sustained growth in the sport.