The Red Roses are gearing up for a World Cup final unlike any other: not only will they be facing the team that they fought 11 years ago to hoist their second ever World Cup trophy, but they will also be putting on this performance in front of a home crowd at a sold-out Allianz Stadium as the culmination of the biggest celebration of women’s rugby in history.
However, this week spent preparing for their most important game yet will be one full of mixed emotions for the England squad, as minds are inevitably cast back to the last time that they underwent this kind of preparation: ahead of the 2022 final in New Zealand.
2021 Women's Rugby World Cup final
The Red Roses are entering this final off the back of 33 unbeaten games in a row - an incredible streak that explains why they are currently number one in the world.
Yet, if you trace this streak back to its origin, we land at the last Women’s Rugby World Cup final, when England lost to hosts New Zealand 31 - 34.
Having led for the vast majority of the match - and having come into the final in a similar position to today, with a streak of 30 matches won in a row - this was an unforeseen defeat for England, who will not be keen to repeat the experience.
At half time, England were leading 26 - 19, and New Zealand were only able to turn the tide in their favour with their 11th try in the 73rd minute by to Aysha Leiti-I’iga.
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final
13 players of the 23-strong squad were part of the 2021 campaign, including World Player of the Year 2024 Ellie Kildunne and captain Alex Matthew, who has been to four World Cups.
The final four years ago was watched by over 45,000 spectators in Auckland, but the upcoming Twickenham final will blow that crowd out of the water.
A sold-out, 82,000 strong mass will make the final the biggest women’s rugby match in history - and given that England’s final against France attracted 3.3 million viewers last weekend, the streaming stats are sure to make these figures even more impressive.
The last time that England faced Canada in a World Cup final, they were able to come away with a 21-9 victory - which was coincidentally the most recent time that they were able to lift the trophy.
Canada have made their aims of bringing home their first ever World Cup title very clear and seem to be in with a very strong fighting chance after an almost perfect campaign thus far, leading and controlling every game that they have played.
If they succeed, they will oust England from their top spot in the world rankings, and make history as the first primarily amateur team to lift the trophy and beat a fully professional team.
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