England have won the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home turf – after backing from a cowboy hat-clad Princess of Wales who led congratulations with Prince William.
The Red Roses put on a consistently strong performance against Canada in the showdown at Twickenham on Saturday in front of thousands of supporters.
And their efforts were rewarded as they streaked to a 33-13 victory during the much-anticipated conclusion to the near month-long tournament held in England.
It was the third World Cup title and first in 11 years for John Mitchell’s squad, a glowing victory after falling at the final hurdle at the last two tournaments.
But it was not all plain sailing as the ladies had a woman in the sin bin at the 51-minute mark, after Hannah Botterman was given a yellow card and sent off for ten minutes.
It came after the prop took Canadian flanker Karen Paquin over the horizontal, meaning her tackle saw the player’s feet lifted higher than her head.
They came back with a vengeance, however, claiming a well-deserved win in front of nearly 82,000 fans at the sold-out Allianz Stadium, taking the team’s winning streak to 33 consecutive matches.
This was the largest crowd ever to watch a women’s rugby match – and the second biggest number ever for a final of either men or women.
England have won the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home turf – after backing from a cowboy hat-clad Princess of Wales who led congratulations with Prince William
The Red Roses put on a consistently strong performance against Canada in the showdown at Twickenham on Saturday in front of thousands of supporters
And their efforts were rewarded as they streaked to a 33-13 victory during the much-anticipated conclusion to the near month-long tournament held in England
The Princess of Wales took to the Instagram account she shares with her husband Prince William to wish the ladies luck ahead of the big game (pictured, her post)
The victory was just the latest addition to a glittering summer of women’s sport, with the England women’s football team retaining their Euros crown back in July.
It is believed Saturday’s accolade for the women’s rugby team, won on home turf, could do the same thing for the sport as the Lionesses’ Euros win in 2022 did for football.
The Princess of Wales took to the Instagram account she shares with her husband Prince William to wish the ladies luck ahead of the big game.
Kate, 43, who is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), wrote: ‘Good luck England!
‘Wishing the very best of luck to the @redrosesrugby in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham today. We’re so proud of you! C.’
Alongside the caption, the mother-of-three posted a photo of herself posing with players Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach.
In the snap, Kildunne and Breach were seen wearing white cowboy hats with an image of the team’s emblem of a red rose on the front.
Meanwhile, the royal wore a red Stetson, decorated with an image of a tiara.
They claimed a well-deserved win in front of nearly 82,000 fans at the sold-out Allianz Stadium
This was the largest crowd ever to watch a women’s rugby match
It was also the second biggest number ever for a final of either men or women. Pictured: English teammates Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews celebrate the team’s victory
The Prince and Princess of Wales also took to X after the clock went red to praise both England and Commonwealth nation Canada
It came after King Charles also weighed in before kick-off to express his support for both sides with a post on social media platform X
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also took to X to praise the team after the final whistle
The British premier had wished the ladies good luck on the social media platform before kick-off too
England will celebrate their triumph with fans at a trophy celebration at Battersea Power Station in London on Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm BST
Abbie Ward of England holds the Women’s World Cup Trophy with her daughter Hallie
England player Megan Jones and head coach John Mitchell with the winners’ trophy
The official Red Roses Instagram account responded, writing in the comments section: ‘Thank you for your support!’
The Prince and Princess of Wales also took to X after the clock went red to praise both England and Commonwealth nation Canada.
They wrote: ‘Congratulations to @RedRosesRugby, the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions!
‘Well done to Canada – you had an outstanding tournament. Both teams should be so proud!’
England will celebrate their triumph with fans at a trophy celebration at Battersea Power Station in London on Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm BST.
Members of the team will also visit several community rugby clubs nationwide next weekend as the RFU looks to use their win to drive more interest in women’s rugby.
Congratulations also poured in from England’s Lionesses, who beat Spain on penalties earlier this summer at the Euros.
Sarina Wiegman’s team wrote on X: ‘Champions of the world and a true inspiration! You’re all incredible, @RedRosesRugby!’
Members of the team will also visit several community rugby clubs nationwide next weekend as the RFU looks to use their win to drive more interest in women’s rugby
It was not all plain sailing as the ladies had a woman in the sin bin at the 51-minute mark, after Hannah Botterman (right, with teammates Alex Matthews and Megan Jones celebrating the team’s win) was given a yellow card and sent off for ten minutes
The victory was just the latest addition to a glittering summer of women’s sport, with the England women’s football team winning the Euros back in July. Pictured: English captain Zoe Aldcroft after her team’s victory
It is believed Saturday’s accolade for the women’s rugby team, won on home turf, could do the same thing for the sport as the Lionesses’ Euros win in 2022 did for football. Pictured: England’s lock Abbie Ward kisses the winners trophy after Saturday’s victory
Saturday’s face-off came just over ten years after the English players took on the Maple Leafs in the final in 2014, when they won by 21 points to nine. Pictured: England’s Zoe Aldcroft after Saturday’s victory
England’s Zoe Aldcroft and Megan Jones lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning the final
England’s Zoe Aldcroft lifts the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy as the players parade around the stadium
England’s Ellie Kildunne signs autographs for fans after winning the final
Marlie Packer of England poses for a photograph with her son Oliver and the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy
It came after King Charles also weighed in before kick-off to express his support for both sides.
The monarch wrote on the Royal Family’s official X account to send his ‘warmest good wishes’ to the teams on behalf of himself and his wife Queen Camilla.
He said before the match: ‘What a remarkable achievement for both teams to have reached this pinnacle of the sport.
‘I know that supporters on both sides of the Atlantic will be cheering with equal and tremendous pride.
‘May the best team win and may you both play with the spirit of sportsmanship, determination and true grit that makes rugby such a wonderful game to watch.
‘Whatever the result, you have already done your countries proud. Good luck to you all. Charles R.’
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also took to X to praise the team after the final whistle.
‘Congratulations @RedRosesRugby! You have shown the very best of England and inspired a generation,’ he wrote.
Sir Keir exchanged rugby jerseys on Friday with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney (pictured together) as excitement for the showdown grew
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan (pictured) attended the match in person, looking on from the stands as the Red Roses claimed their win
Flanker Sadia Kabeya celebrated taking home the player of the match trophy (pictured)
England head coach John Mitchell celebrated winning coach of the year (pictured)
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney (pictured, with his wife Diana Fox Carney), who was at Saturday’s match, took to X after the final whistle to express his admiration for his nation’s team
Natasha Hunt and Zoe Aldcroft of England kiss the trophy as they celebrate victory
Tatyana Heard and Zoe Harrison of England celebrate following victory
The British premier had wished the ladies good luck on the social media platform before kick-off too.
‘On behalf of the whole nation, wishing @RedRosesRugby the very best of luck in today’s World Cup Final.
‘Already you have smashed records – the biggest women’s Rugby World Cup in history, hosted here on home soil. We are all rooting for you!’
Sir Keir exchanged rugby jerseys on Friday with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney as excitement for the showdown grew.
It came as the pair met for bilateral talks at the Global Progress Action summit.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, meanwhile, attended the match in person, looking on from the stands as the Red Roses claimed their win.
Saturday’s face-off came just over ten years after the English players took on the Maple Leafs in the final in 2014, when they won by 21 points to nine.
The team also reached the final of the two most recent World Cups, in 2017 and 2021, but were just pipped to the post by New Zealand in both.
It was a showcase of the incredible talent on both teams, with Megan Jones (right, with teammate Ellie Kildunne) among some of the most impressive and resilient players on the English side
England’s Zoe Aldcroft holds the trophy as she celebrates with Natasha Hunt who pours champagne on her
England’s Sarah Bern lifts the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup final
Abby Dow and Sarah Bern of England wave to fans after the match
Rosie Galligan of England holds the Women’s World Cup Trophy
England fullback Kildunne (centre) and Canadian wing Asia Hogan-Rochester (second right) compete for the ball during the final
But not today, as members of the English squad and their team also took home several individual accolades on top of their trophy win on Saturday.
Flanker Sadia Kabeya celebrated taking home the player of the match trophy while England head coach John Mitchell celebrated winning coach of the year.
Canadian prime minister Mr Carney, who was at Saturday’s match, took to X after the final whistle to express his admiration for his nation’s team.
He wrote: ‘On behalf of a proud nation, massive congratulations to Team Canada for an incredible run in the Rugby World Cup.’
Canada had impressed during the tournament – its team is semi-professional and had to crowdfund nearly a third of its budget for their World Cup campaign.
It was a showcase of the incredible talent on both teams, with Megan Jones among some of the most impressive and resilient players on the English side.
Born in Cardiff, the centre and fly-half, 28, is a fluent Welsh speaker and between the ages of six and 12, was the only girl in a team of boys.
‘No one wanted to tackle the girl,’ Jones said of her school years, ahead of Saturday’s match.
The star of her teammate Ellie Kildunne (pictured celebrating Saturday’s win with her parents Nigel and Alison Kildunne) is also on the rise – only further shown after the fullback, 26, scored the first try in Saturday’s game
Kildunne celebrates with her medal and a hat after winning the final
England’s Zoe Aldcroft holds a trophy as she celebrates with her teammates after winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup final
The England squad celebrate with their winners medals as Zoe Aldcroft of England lifts the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy
Alysha Corrigan, Julia Schell, Taylor Perry, Taylor Perry and Olivia Apps of Canada look dejected after their defeat by England
England’s Megan Jones celebrates winning the final at Twickenham
‘And then as soon as they saw my ability, it didn’t matter what gender I was. I used to play scrum-half with the boys and they used to love how bossy I was!’
Now, after a journey which has involved the loss of both her parents, subsequent grief and redundancy, she has led England to World Cup final glory – and is on the verge of being named the best women’s rugby player on the planet.
Ahead of Saturday’s final, the biggest game of her career, she was nominated as one of three nominees for World Rugby’s women’s 15s player of the year award.
‘Particularly with the last year I had, obviously losing mum and dad in 2024, I think it was nice recognition and an appreciation of what I’m doing,’ Jones said of her nomination.
‘I’m doing it for them, which is huge. But it’s also a little bit sad as well in the respect I couldn’t share that moment with them. Of course, it’s been difficult.
‘But it’s been a huge fuel for me. I hate being the victim. I was never brought up that way – my mum and dad would hate that….
‘The bit I want to get over is that through difficult times, through adversity, you can still fulfil your dreams and you can actually use that to drive you in such a good way.’
Jones’ English-born mother Paula suffered with alcoholism and passed away last year, while her father Simon died earlier in 2024 after losing his battle with advanced lung cancer.
The Red Roses celebrate as they are interviewed by BBC Sport’s Gabby Logan following victory
Zoe Aldcroft of England celebrates with the World Cup Trophy
England fans show their support as they hold handmade signs during the final
England fans celebrate the Red Roses’ victory
Abi Burton of England celebrates with teammates as she holds a drum after the squad’s victory
The star of her teammate Ellie Kildunne is also on the rise – only further shown after the fullback, 26, scored the first try in Saturday’s game.
Born in the West Yorkshire market town of Keighley, her love of rugby began at a young age, when she often found herself the only girl on a pitch of boys.
She told the BBC: ‘I just loved the pressure of proving myself. I wanted to make a statement. “You are looking over your shoulder and laughing but just wait…”‘
As she hit her teenage years, options for women to continue playing rugby grew more sparse as the teams expanded to 15 players.
It made the lifelong Liverpool FC fan temporarily move her focus to football, playing for a Farsley Celtic team which saw her beat Manchester City’s academy side 7-1.
But Kildunne realised rugby was still her passion – and soon played for her county, then West Park Leeds and Castleford, before her nation.
She made her debut for England at just 18 years old, immediately proving she belonged on the world stage by scoring in the team’s 79-5 win over Canada.
RFU boss Bill Sweeney said after Saturday’s win: ‘We are so proud of our world champion Red Roses for their historic win in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
‘To achieve this in England and at Allianz Stadium, the home of England Rugby, makes this victory even more rewarding.
‘Our congratulations go to entire playing squad and management team on this monumental achievement.
‘We can’t thank fans across the country enough for their support of the Red Roses during the tournament – it’s been phenomenal.
‘The Champions Party not only gives the nation the chance to pay tribute to the team, whether in person, online or on television, but also to be part of a huge moment in sporting history.’