It’s down to this – the grand finale. A record crowd will take in the 2025 World Cup Final at Twickenham on Saturday, with hosts England taking on Canada. While the Red Roses were all but guaranteed to be one of the final two, the Maple Leafs have exceeded expectations and after knocking out New Zealand in convincing fashion last weekend enter as genuine threats to lift the trophy for the first time.
Current World Ranking: 1 (97.76 points)
2025-09-20 – England 35, France 17 (Bristol)
2025-09-14 – England 40, Scotland 8 (Bristol)
2025-09-06 – England 47, Australia 7 (Brighton)
2025-08-30 – England 92, Samoa 3 (Northampton)
2025-08-22 – England 69, USA 7 (Sunderland)
Current World Ranking: 2 (91.86 points)
2025-09-19 – New Zealand 19, Canada 34 (Bristol)
2025-09-13 – Canada 46, Australia 5 (Bristol)
2025-09-06 – Scotland 19, Canada 40 (Exeter)
2025-08-30 – Wales 0, Canada 42 (Manchester)
2025-08-23 – Canada 65, Fiji 7 (York)
 |
IN | OUT |
| none | none |
|
IN | OUT |
| none | none |
- England have won 32 consecutive tests, with their last defeat coming at the hands of New Zealand in the 2022 tournament finale at Auckland… meanwhile Canada are unbeaten in 2025, with one draw against New Zealand in May to go with 11 victories… England are the last team to beat the Maple Leafs, in Vancouver this past October
- the Red Roses have dominated the head-to-head series against Canada, with 13 straight wins dating back to 2016… notably Canada was defeated by just 7 points in the 2022 Semi Final
- this is the second time the two teams have faced each other in a World Cup Final… England were 21-9 winners in Paris at the 2014 tournament, Canada’s first team reaching the Final… Natasha Hunt will reprise her starting role for England… Karen Paquin started for Canada on that day, with Olivia DeMerchant and Tyson Beukeboom among the reserves
John Mitchell (Head Coach)
“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 82,000 is a significant milestone for the sport.”
“We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is number one versus number two in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively.”
Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)
“The focus remains on ourselves this week, nothing changes in how we prepare from the last game. Of course, we are happy to have made it to the World Cup finals but there is still a job to be done, and I believe in all the players and staff we have here that we will be ready to go for Saturday.”
“Every week the coaches are faced with such a hard decision as we believe that all 32 players we have in the squad are amazing rugby players and have a positive impact on the game. We decided to be consistent after a performance we were really happy with against New Zealand, but it will take all the players we have with us to help us win a World Cup.”
Mild conditions with a slight southerly breeze are on the forecast, which shouldn’t have a material affect on play. It’s no secret that Canada want to play fast, with their lighting-quick ruck speed unmatched during the competition and too much for even the Black Ferns to handle. England will favor a more tactical approach and do hold a kicking advantage – both from hand and off the tee – but the Maple Leafs have enjoyed a higher success rate at both the scrum and lineout in recent weeks.
Much will come down to the opening salvos. Can the Red Roses win the collisions and slow Canada’s ball? Will the width of the Maple Leafs attack take the sting out of the English pack? It’s as compelling a clash as the rugby world has seen this year and is set to be played in front of a record crowd. While the home side retain top billing – and deservedly so – there is a sneaking suspicion that this Canadian team just might have the goods to spoil the party. England are favorites in London.
ENGLAND
1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (capt.), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews, 9 Natasha Hunt, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Megan Jones, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland
CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Sophie de Goede, 5 Courtney O’Donnell, 6 Caroline Crossley, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Fabiola Forteza, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12 Alex Tessier (capt.), 13 Florence Symonds, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Julia Schell
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Laetitia Royer, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kickoff: 16:00 local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 61°F (16°C), wind S 10-15mph (16-24km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 1/4 (Canada), Paramount+ (USA), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (37): England 33, Canada 3, Draw 1
2024-10-13 – Canada 12, England 21 (Vancouver)
2023-10-27 – Canada 12, England 45 (Dunedin)
2023-09-30 – England 29, Canada 12 (London)
2023-09-23 – England 50, Canada 24 (Exeter)
2022-11-05 – Canada 19, England 26 (Auckland)
2021-11-14 – England 51, Canada 12 (London)
2019-07-06 – Canada 17, England 19 (Chula Vista)
2018-11-18 – England 27, Canada 19 (Doncaster)
2017-11-25 – England 69, Canada 19 (London)
2017-11-21 – England 49, Canada 12 (London)
