The Women's Rugby World Cup is reaching its thrilling climax, and the Red Roses are poised for glory! England's head coach, John Mitchell, has announced that the squad will remain unchanged for the highly anticipated final against Canada this Saturday at Twickenham. The good news for fans is that star full-back Ellie Kildunne has been cleared to play after overcoming a concussion that sidelined her during the quarter-final match against Scotland.
Kildunne, who had to leave the semi-final against France due to a late injury, has successfully recovered from her leg issue and is ready to take the field once again. This match is particularly significant as it will be held at the sold-out Allianz Stadium, where a record crowd of 82,000 is expected to witness this monumental event.
In the back three, Kildunne will be joined by wings Abby Dow and Jess Breach, while the midfield duo consists of Megan Jones and Tatyana Heard. The half-back pairing features Zoe Harrison and Natasha Hunt, who have been instrumental throughout the tournament.
Turning to the forwards, Hannah Botterman has shown no lingering effects from her back spasm and will start alongside hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead Maud Muir in the front row. The second row will see Morwenna Talling and Abbie Ward teaming up, while Zoe Aldcroft will captain the side from the blindside flanker position, supported by openside Sadia Kabeya and No. 8 Alex Matthews, completing a formidable back row.
As has been the case throughout this tournament, England's bench is filled with talented players ready to make an impact. Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, and Sarah Bern will provide front-row cover, while Rosie Galligan and Maddie Feaunati are set to step in as second row and back-row replacements, respectively. The bench is rounded out by scrum-half Lucy Packer and back options Holly Aitchison and Helena Rowland.
Mitchell expressed his pride in the team's journey, stating, "Our staff and players have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament. Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium in front of a record crowd is a significant milestone for the sport. We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada, and we know this match will require a full 80 minutes of our best effort. Our focus remains on executing our game plan effectively."
The Red Roses' lineup is as follows: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (c), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews. The replacements include 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, and 23 Helena Rowland.
In a recent interview, Mitchell shared his thoughts on the emotional weight of the final week, saying, "It's really good to get to this point. Three years ago, we set a vision, and everyone bought into it. Now, we have the chance to finish what we started, which is incredibly exciting. We’ve kept everything normal and focused on our plan while ensuring we have fun during the week."
He also acknowledged the pressure that comes with such a significant match, not just for the players but also for their families and friends, who are emotionally invested in the outcome. "We need to stay focused and work hard to ensure we perform well on Saturday. It’s natural to feel the weight of emotions, but we must channel that into our performance on the field."
Looking ahead, the Red Roses will face Canada in the Women's Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Twickenham, kicking off at 4 PM. Earlier that day, France will compete against the defending champions, New Zealand, in the Bronze final at 12:30 PM.
What are your thoughts on the Red Roses' chances against Canada? Do you believe they can secure the title? Share your opinions in the comments!
