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 met expectations and won their third title, playing at Twickenham in front of almost 82,000 fans, a record for a women’s rugby XV match. The day was memorable both on and off the field. Canada, which partly funded its participation in the tournament, achieved a milestone by reaching the final.

What’s Next for Women’s Rugby?

Following the conclusion of the tournament, key questions arise about the future of women’s rugby and the path forward for the “Red Roses”, the champions.

Are England the dominant force in the sport?

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

Alofoke Deportes

Since then, they have maintained an unbeaten streak and have now been rewarded with the biggest prize in the sport. Gloucester-Hartpury is solidifying its 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, making them the dominant team there.

However, based on the current form and with a bias towards immediacy, the “Red Roses” are the most dominant force in rugby union. In terms of the difference between them and the rest, the “Red Roses” are far ahead and are among the best we have seen. Rival nations are still developing, with some players still being 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 handled the expectation this year was also remarkable.

What will be remembered from the tournament?

The fans and the atmosphere. It was their tournament. The noise England received when they came out with the United States in Sunderland for the opening match was unforgettable. And, of course, the moment England finally overcame the ghosts of 2022 was incredible. Also, on a personal level, being at Megan Jones’s pre-final press conference was truly moving. She is 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 many great moments.

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 exchanged some verbal jokes in the stadium, providing a great atmosphere in one of the tournament’s matches.

The Future of Women’s Rugby

The tournament has demonstrated the potential of the sport and what can be achieved if a country takes the tournament seriously. The participation was brilliant and has set the benchmark. Now it needs a 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 on that, but other teams now need to catch up.

This requires commercial support, more frequent competitive matches, and investment from the grassroots. The PWR is the best competition in the world, but it is not enough. The British & Irish Lions tour is expected to maintain the interest of casual fans, while it remains to be seen what will happen with R360. But, in essence, now is the time to build.

Lessons should be taken from women’s football and interest should be kept high. It is essential that the work does not stop. It also depends on the fans to vote with their feet, but officials must make it as accessible as possible for them. It is also time to make decisions for the unions. Invest in women’s programs and reap the rewards like the “Red Roses” and the RFU or fall behind. This is, as expected, a decisive 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 solid base for 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 imagine anything other than another victory for the “Red Roses”. The age profile, aside from a couple of their wonderful older veterans, suits most of these players being there or thereabouts in four years, while they have the infrastructure to sustain another World Cup charge. Other nations are expected to join them. Canada did astonishingly well considering the budget of its federation, but with more investment, they will thrive. The Black Ferns will bounce back, with the scariest 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 continue to advance. No more contractual scandals, please, as we had with Wales and Scotland. But, in general, the World Cup is expected to be even bigger in Australia and 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 winning. Now the pressure falls on Rugby Australia to realize the importance of its role on and off the field in four years. They desperately need to gain the support of the Australian public and that is achieved by winning. They also need as many home test matches 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.