England Seek Immortality in Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

The Red Roses Seek Greatness in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

The challenge for the Red Roses in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final against Canada is clear: to go from very good to great. The English team, which holds the world record for undefeated matches and six consecutive Grand Slam titles, settles for nothing less. To achieve immortality in the sport, as the English teams of 1994 and 2014 did, they need to lift the most important trophy. In addition to seeking the championship, the Red Roses have the responsibility of thrilling the 82,000 fans in a sold-out Twickenham and leaving a legacy that boosts the growth of women’s rugby. The team is aware of what it has achieved in the last five weeks in a historic World Cup, but also of the importance of the prize if they manage to beat Canada on Saturday. The key to England’s success has been to stay in the present and not get carried away by what might happen on September 27th. Captain Zoe Aldcroft highlights the importance of not making this event bigger than it is, but also acknowledges the excitement generated by the opportunity to showcase the progress of women’s rugby.

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Coach Simon Middleton has been fundamental to the team’s success. Since taking over in May 2023, he has guided this group of talented athletes through an impressive undefeated streak, preparing them for Saturday. Middleton considers himself more a psychologist than a rugby coach, enjoying the mental aspect of the sport. For many players, the final represents an opportunity for redemption after the defeat in the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand, the only defeat in 63 matches. Middleton’s goal has been to redefine how the team faces the pressure of major tournaments. “We focus more on the opportunity for success than on the risk of failure,” says Middleton.

Middleton, with almost three decades of coaching experience, including his time with the All Blacks and the England men’s team, has applied his philosophy based on experience and perspective. His approach focuses on consistency and the importance of each team member understanding their role. The tournament for England began with a victory over the United States, followed by wins against Samoa and Australia. Then, they overcame Scotland in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-final. In the team, experience abounds. Emily Scarratt, in her fifth World Cup, brings her knowledge. In addition, there’s defense coach Sarah Hunter, World Player of the Year nominee Jones, and other key players. Middleton has only spoken to the team as a group once this week, but the central theme has always been the promise of what they can achieve and the path to get there. The coach emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process and not letting oneself be defined by the results. “If we manage to be great, seeing the smiles on the faces of the players and staff will be the most rewarding,” says Middleton.

Saturday will be a crucial test. Canada, with an outstanding player like Sophie de Goede, represents a formidable challenge. But for the Red Roses, the focus will be on the present, trusting in what has brought them this far.

“As a group, we are very excited to get out on the field,” says Middleton. “We’ve been working on this for three years and now it’s our moment, we really feel it.”