England vs. Canada: Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, Analysis and Expectations

The Grand Final: England vs. Canada at the Women’s Rugby World Cup

The culminating moment has arrived: Twickenham at capacity, the two best teams in the world face off in an 80-minute battle, where only one will emerge victorious. Only one will be on the podium on Saturday night, while the other will watch from a distance, reflecting on what could have been. England and Canada met in a final previously, in 2014, when the “Red Roses” won the tournament for the last time. Canada, for its part, has never won the competition. Will it be a repeat or a rematch in London? Here are the key points before Saturday’s main event.

England, undisputed favorite?

While England is the favorite, the difference is not overwhelming. England is on a 32-match unbeaten streak, a world record, and is the best team on the planet, without a doubt. They have the necessary tools to win this tournament, and the support of their fans is a plus. The “Red Roses” have met the requirements throughout the tournament and the valuable experience of a close semi-final ensures they are prepared for Saturday. They have a team familiar with world-class players, including the outstanding Megan Jones and Ellie Kildunne in the backs. However, their forwards will play a crucial role in the development of Saturday’s match. Their maul is surprisingly destructive, and they possess the two best front rows in world rugby. If the match turns into a battle of attrition, England has the advantage.

The match could theoretically be more uneven. However, both semi-finals, Canada’s victory over New Zealand and England’s close encounter with France, have tempered the expectation of an easy victory for England. The best thing for everyone, regardless of the result, is a close match. Everything will depend on how England handles the pressure. Kildunne said after the semi-final that they have been preparing for this moment for three years. Now it comes down to 80 minutes. The week must be perfect and the players cannot get carried away by the occasion. It’s easier said than done, but if England achieves that, they should lift the trophy at the end.

How can Canada surprise?

Canada is a brilliant rugby team. Their semi-final triumph over the “Black Ferns” was one of the most remarkable performances we’ve seen in recent times. It was a phenomenal 360-degree performance with breakneck ruck speed, staunch defense, imaginative attack, and a variety of kicks. And they have the best player of the tournament in Sophie de Goede: the second row who kicks at goal, who can also force turnovers and run at full speed to avoid defenders. In short, this match will be close. Their coach, Kèvin Rouet, provides a player-led environment and the team has thrived. Let’s not forget that all of this is the result of a journey funded in part by a fundraising campaign, where they raised almost 1 million Canadian dollars to help their progress in England, under the slogan: “Win the 2025 Rugby World Cup”. They are now one step away from a dream ending. Canada needs to do what it did against the “Black Ferns”, but with a completely new intensity. New Zealand couldn’t cope with their defense and ruck speed, but Canada will have to be faster and more physical against the “Red Roses”. They need to silence the fans as best they can. The start is also vital. Despite fitting an early try, France’s resistance in the first half was very important. If Canada can replicate that and get some individual moments from De Goede, fullback Julia Schell or scrum-half Justine Pelletier, then the match will be underway.

What would victory mean for each team?

Throughout the World Cup, England has talked about facing each match, amidst general expectation. They are fully aware of their status as tournament favorites and the pressure that entails. There is also the added weight of the importance of legacy and what a victory could do for the women’s game in the country. So there is a lot at stake, but England has shown calm throughout the tournament and, if they can stick to their processes, a phrase frequently used by John Mitchell, everything should be fine. In short, this will mean a lot: they will be able to breathe with the pressure removed, bury some demons of the past and, also, rest knowing that they were successful in their goal prior to the tournament. For Canada, given the title of its fundraising campaign, this would be an amazing achievement. They are the second-best team in the world according to the official ranking, so this would be a surprise. But, given that they have partially funded their campaign in England, this would be an incredible moment for the game in that part of the world. Canada has never won the tournament before. The closest they came was reaching the 2014 final, where they faced England. They have the players, but stopping England is the toughest task in the sport. It would mean a lot to both teams for very different reasons. It’s the tournament the “Red Roses” have been destined to win since England was announced as the host. Also, there’s the fact that they’ve been in six consecutive finals with only one win. A significant amount of money has been invested, with good reason, in the women’s program, and a win would demonstrate to other nations that that’s what it takes to claim the biggest prizes.