England clinches historic victory
In a showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Women's Rugby World Cup champions England defeated Canada 24‑21 to claim the 2025 title. The final, played at Paris’s Stade de France, featured a dramatic comeback in the dying minutes as England’s fly‑half landed a last‑minute penalty to seal the win. England’s captain, Emily Scarratt, lifted the Webb Ellis Cup amid a roar from a crowd that topped 70,000.
Canada had led for most of the second half, thanks to a powerful try from winger Sika Koyama that put them ahead 21‑13. However, England’s relentless pressure forced a turnover near the Canadian 22‑meter line, setting up the decisive penalty. The match’s turning point came when England’s forwards drove a short‑range maul into the try‑line, narrowing the gap and shifting momentum.
Impact beyond the pitch
BBC Sport reported that the England‑Canada final smashed viewership records, attracting over 12 million live viewers in the UK alone – a figure that eclipses the previous high set by the 2021 men’s final. The broadcaster also noted a surge in social media engagement, with the hashtag #WomensRugbyWorldCup trending globally for three consecutive days.
Analysts credit the growing interest to several factors: increased investment in women’s leagues, a more aggressive marketing push from World Rugby, and the emergence of star players who are now household names. England’s victory is likely to accelerate grassroots participation, with clubs across the country reporting a 35% rise in junior female registrations since the tournament began.
- Key player of the match: England’s scrum‑half, Megan Jones, who delivered three assists and managed the game tempo flawlessly.
- Coaching spotlight: England head coach Simon Middleton praised his squad’s mental resilience, noting that the team’s ability to handle pressure was the decisive edge.
- Future outlook: The next Women’s Rugby World Cup is scheduled for 2029, and already several nations are outlining expanded qualification pathways to widen the competition.
The win also fuels a broader conversation about parity in sports broadcasting. With BBC Sport breaking its own records, other networks are expected to vie for rights to future women’s rugby events, potentially raising the sport’s commercial value and providing more resources for player development.
While Canada will regroup and aim for redemption in future tournaments, England now enjoys a rare double – holding both the men’s and women’s world titles in the same year. The achievement underscores the nation’s depth in rugby talent and could set a new benchmark for excellence in the sport.