England Women’s Rugby World Champions: Analysis and Future of the Sport

England Crowned at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup has come to an end. England, meeting expectations, won their third title at Twickenham, in front of almost 82,000 fans, setting a record for a women’s XV rugby match. The day was memorable both on and off the field. Canada, which partly funded its participation in the tournament through crowdfunding, managed to reach the final, which was already a triumph in itself. Here’s a look at the future of women’s rugby and what awaits the victorious “Red Roses”.

• England dominates to join the list of immortals
• Meg Jones of England: From personal anguish to inspiring a generation
• Mitchell open to coaching the British and Irish Lions women’s

Are English women the dominant force in the sport?

We’ve seen some dominant runs in the past. The Black Ferns won six of the last eight Women’s Rugby World Cups, so they know a thing or two about how to achieve it, but what’s remarkable about this team are the basic figures: they have only one loss in their last 63 matches, which was the 2022 final.

Tom Hamilton

Since then, they have maintained an incredible unbeaten streak and now backed it up by winning the most important award in the sport. We see Gloucester-Hartpury establishing a dominance in the PWR, and in the men’s game, the Springboks have won the last two World Cups and should close out the Rugby Championship, so they are the dominant team there.

However, based solely on the current form and with a certain bias towards immediacy, the “Red Roses” are, by far, the most dominant force in rugby union. Absolutely. Based on the numbers, they are on par with some of the best teams of the modern era. Think of the Springboks of the last eight years and the All Blacks between 2011 and 2016, both winners of consecutive World Cups. Also included are the Black Ferns teams that have won six Women’s World Cups. As for the difference between them and the chasing group, the “Red Roses” are far ahead and up to the level of the best we have seen. Rival nations are still developing, with some players still amateurs or semi-professionals, but if you are the “Red Roses”, you can only beat what you have in front of you. The way they managed expectations this year was also notable. What will they remember?

The crowds, the noise, the fans. It was his tournament.

Tom Hamilton

While the rugby was great fun, the game in the group stage largely went without incident, as the matches were uneven, but wherever you went, the fans filled the stadiums. I will never forget the noise England received when they came out with the United States in Sunderland for that opening match.

It was a pinch-me moment. And, of course, the moment England finally exorcised the ghosts of 2022 was incredible. Also, on a personal level, being at Megan Jones’ pre-final press conference was also truly moving. She’s an incredible person.

The inspiring stories behind Samoa’s campaign should endure in memory. Players and staff took time off from their full-time jobs to represent their country, probably knowing they would suffer some difficult results. But it didn’t matter. They lit up the tournament, involving the opposition in singing and dancing after each match and giving us so many great moments.

James Regan

In the field, the 31-31 tie between Australia and the United States was excellent. Both teams fought for 80 minutes knowing that a place in the final was at stake. Both groups of fans also exchanged some verbal jokes in the stadium, which provided a great atmosphere in one of the tournament’s matches. What does this hold for women’s rugby?

In a great place, but also at an interesting point. It has demonstrated the potential of the sport and what can be achieved if a country takes the tournament seriously. The acceptance was brilliant and has set the benchmark. Now it needs large-scale investment to ensure that a rising tide lifts all boats. It’s no secret that England is the best-funded team in the tournament and they delivered from that, but other teams now need to catch up.

Tom Hamilton

That needs commercial acceptance, more frequent competitive matches and investment from the grassroots. The PWR is the best competition in the world, but it’s not enough. You hope the British & Irish Lions tour keeps the sport in the consciousness of those casual fans, while it remains to be seen what happens with R360. But, essentially, now is the time to build.

Take lessons from women’s soccer and keep the interest high.

As good as this moment is for both England and women’s rugby, it’s very important that the work doesn’t stop. It also depends on the fans to vote with their feet, but officials must make it as accessible as possible for them. It’s also time for unions to make decisions. Invest in women’s programs and reap the rewards like the “Red Roses” and the RFU or fall behind.

James Regan

This is, as expected, a pivotal moment for the game, but it needs follow-up. The home nations, as well as New Zealand and Australia, nations with existing infrastructure and a base beneath their women’s teams, run the risk of the gap between them and England widening if they do not invest in national programs and their respective competitions.

What will happen in 2029?

It’s hard to see anything other than another “Red Roses” victory. The age profile, aside from a couple of their wonderful older servers, suits most of these players being there or thereabouts in four years, while they have the infrastructure to sustain another World Cup load.

Tom Hamilton

You expect other nations to come with them. Canada did amazingly well considering the budget of its federation, but with more investment, they will thrive. The Black Ferns will do well, the terrifying thing being that Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee will only get better.

While Australia will seek to perform as hosts and France and others will move forward. Please, no more contractual scandals like the ones we had with Wales and Scotland. But, in general, you expect the World Cup to be even bigger in Australia and that interest will continue to grow in the next four years. But right now, the “Red Roses” are the favorites.

There is no doubt that the 2025 tournament was a success because England was successful. Winning the tournament was the icing on the cake, but it came after years of building and victories.

James Regan

The pressure now falls on Rugby Australia to realize how significant their role is on and off the field in four years. They desperately need to gain the support of the Australian public and that comes from winning. They also need as many home tests as possible and to build their fan base. In the field, it won’t be long before they set their sights on winning again. With the current situation, you wouldn’t bet against it.