England win Women's Rugby World Cup as Red Roses become world champions for third time

England have won the Women's Rugby World Cup final after beating Canada 33-13 at Allianz Stadium. John Mitchell’s side are currently number one in the world and have now won 33 games on the trot.

England headed into the game with the baggage of a dismal record in World Cup finals that has produced just one victory in six consecutive appearances. And it was first blood to Canada when Asia Hogan-Rochester scored after just five minutes.

But tries from Ellie Kildunne, Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews saw Mitchell’s side heading into the break leading 21-8. Abby Ward then put England in total control when she crossed the line 10 minutes into the second-half.

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Canada, to their credit, refused to crumble and reduced the deficit thanks to another try from Hogan-Rochester. But it was England who would be crowned champions for the first time since 2014 with Alex Matthews crossing with 10 minutes to go to seal a 33-13 victory.

Speaking before the game, Cokayne insisted her side who were the tournament favourites believed their time had come. She said: “For me, the bigger the crowd the better. I have no doubt we will rise to the occasion. I’m really buzzing that the stadium is going to be full.

“The bigger crowds we have had, that is when the big players stand up and we are a team full of big players. It is a bit of an unprecedented crowd for us and we are excited to see it.

“We are quite lucky that we have played at Twickenham a few times, it feels quite natural and normal to be here. That’s probably testament to the Rugby Football Union for letting us play here, well done RFU.”