📷 - @redrosesrugby
Written by Amy Tuscher
Red Roses Crowned Rugby World Champions
In front of a world-record crowd, the England Red Roses etched their names into rugby history, securing the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 title with a dominant 33-13 victory over Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
This momentous win, played out in front of an astounding 81,885 spectators, was not just a victory for a team, but a crowning moment and a generation of dedication, and a powerful launchpad for the future in women’s sport.
For the Red Roses, led out by the inspirational captain Zoe Aldcroft, the win was the ultimate validation of a spectacular, unblemished tournament cycle. They arrived at their home ground on a staggering 32-match winning streak, a run that had been building since their heartbreaking loss in the 2022 World Cup final.
This time though, there was no doubt. Against a formidable Canadian side, England’s pack, powered by two-try scorer Alex Matthews, proved unstoppable, dismantling the opposition's scrum and maul. The backline, brilliantly marshalled by the likes of Ellie Kildunne, was clinical and electric, delivering a performance full of pace, power, and skill.
The 33-13 scoreline, secured with five tries, was a fitting climax to a journey built on relentless improvement and a mission to deliver on home soil. As Aldcroft raised the trophy to a sea of ecstatic supporters, the feeling was unanimous: this was the moment that truly sealed this side’s claim as one of the greatest in women’s rugby history.
📷 - @redrosesrugby
The women's final was watched by a peak audience of 5.8million viewers
A New Era for Women's Sport
The significance of this triumph extends far beyond the Twickenham pitch. The Red Roses’ victory is not just a sporting achievement; it's a watershed moment for women’s sport in the UK and globally, building on the success seen in other sports like football's Lionesses who won the Euro's this year retaining their trophy.
The most immediate and tangible impact is the sheer visibility generated by the tournament. The final's world-record attendance of 81,885 shattered previous benchmarks and is a loud, clear statement that the appetite for elite women’s rugby is massive.
The tournament also broke all-time viewing records, drawing millions of viewers and pushing the women’s game squarely into the sporting mainstream. This consistent, high-profile coverage dismantles old prejudices and shows young girls and women that there is a place for them at the pinnacle of high-performance sport. As player of the Match Sadia Kabeya noted, they hope this inspires more people of all shapes and sizes to pick up a ball.
Success also attracts investment. The commercial interest generated by a World Cup-winning team and a record-breaking tournament will undoubtedly lead to further professionalisation of the game. Already, the RFU has tripled its annual investment in the women’s game since 2021, and this victory will reinforce the commercial viability for standalone sponsors, broadcasting rights, and better central contracts for players. This financial security allows more athletes to commit full-time to the sport, further raising the on-field standards—a cycle of excellence that benefits the entire women’s game.
The emotional power of seeing their heroes lift the trophy at the home of English Rugby will fuel the grassroots game for years to come. The tournament's legacy program, Impact '25, aims to ensure this momentum translates into tangible growth, with millions being invested to encourage more women and girls into local clubs.
The players themselves are committed to continuing this work, appearing at clubs across the country to inspire the next generation. The message from the Red Roses is clear: this victory is for the girls they inspire and the women who paved the way. This new chapter, defined by a dominant world championship win, promises a brighter, more equitable future for female athletes everywhere.
What a day for women's rugby and sport as a whole!
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