Red Roses reign supreme: England crush Canada to claim World Cup glory
Ellie Kildunne dazzles as England lift the trophy before record-breaking crowd in landmark moment for women’s rugby
If this were a movie, the scriptwriters would be shoo-ins for an Oscar, the plot centred on a dominant team who overcame the heartbreak of losing two back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals to complete an eight-year redemption arc and become world champions again by beating Canada.
Before Saturday’s final, England had lost just once in 63 games and that blot on their record stained everything. But no more. They are on top of the world for a third time – and this victory may taste all the sweeter for being in front of 81,885 people, a world record crowd. This triumph will leave an ever-changing impact on the sport in England.
It was just a few years ago when the Red Roses would run out to a few thousand fans who had stayed behind after the men had played at Twickenham. Now they are turning a profit for the Rugby Football Union all by themselves and delivering silverware in the process.
Ellie Kildunne’s brilliant individual attacking sizzle will rightfully be in the spotlight once again with her efforts making the attacking difference, but Alex Matthews and Sadia Kabeya must share some of the sunshine. The No 8 is ever-consistent in an England shirt and showed up on the biggest stage with two tries, while player of the match Kabeya fronted up in defence.
There’s no stopping Ellie Kildunne as the England back sprints to the line with an immediate response to Canada’s early try.. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Canada were expected to start fast and it looked like it was going that way until they knocked on to set up the first scrum. This was an interesting battle throughout the game with both teams having an impressive set piece, but England ate them up in the first instance. Back and forth went possession but a lost lineout saw Canada pounce and the first blood went the way of Asia Hogan-Rochester.
Alex Matthews crashes over for England’s third try. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
England responded immediately and after winning penalty advantage, Kildunne danced and twisted to the line in another phenomenal solo effort from the star full-back. Momentum is a crucial element to a final and for the next period it was with the hosts, even though they fumbled two attacks as the match continued to be closely fought. However, the catch and drive that undid them in the 2022 final was responsible for their next try through Amy Cokayne.
Tatyana Heard intercepted a ball when Kévin Rouet’s side looked to be creating a promising attack and while Canada’s defensive set rendered plenty of penalties, they did prevent England from scoring. That was until the No 8 Matthews, who won the World Cup in 2014, sniped after England went through phases following another impressive scrum.
Sophie de Goede added three points for the half-time score to be 21-8 after England had a try ruled out because of obstruction in the lineout.
Living on a prayer by Bon Jovi was the soundtrack and the lyrics “oh we’re halfway there” never felt as suitable for the England supporters. Whoever scored first in the second 40 would land a psychological blow and the victor of that particular element were England through Abbie Ward, but they got it done after a few attempts were wasted.
Hannah Botterman makes an illegal tackle on Canada’s Karen Paquin, resulting in a yellow card for the England prop. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Hannah Botterman then received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and Canada took advantage with Hogan-Rochester in again. The Red Roses were under pressure in the minutes that followed but a huge scrum got them out of trouble and they did not concede another point while down to 14.
Scrums were England’s get out of jail free card on more than one occasion in the closing minutes and Matthews crossed the line to reward the set-piece success. Before the final a question remained over England’s head: Would they miss out again? They answered that defiantly, dominantly and skilfully and are world champions again.
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