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From semi-final shocks to a sold-out Twickenham final, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has delivered history in the making. Catch up on the semi-final results, preview England vs Canada, and revisit Canada’s unforgettable road to the final.
Semi-Finals Recap
England vs France
In Bristol at Ashton Gate, England defeated France 35–17 to secure yet another finals appearance. The Red Roses dominated possession, leaned on their powerful forward pack, and got a Player of the Match performance from Ellie Kildunne, who crossed the try line twice.
France fought hard and showed flashes of creativity, but their discipline wavered. Handling errors and missed tackles gifted England too many opportunities — and England never wastes momentum at this level.
Canada vs New Zealand
This was the upset heard around the rugby world. Canada stunned New Zealand 34–19, ending the Black Ferns’ long reign of semi-final dominance.
Canada’s pack was immense: perfect scrums, efficient lineouts, and rapid ruck ball. Their breakdown speed kept New Zealand scrambling, while their composure under pressure meant every half-chance became points.
New Zealand had moments of their trademark flair, but Canada shut down their offload game and dictated tempo from whistle to whistle. For the first time since 2014, the Black Ferns won’t feature in a Women’s Rugby World Cup final. See more here Rugby World Cup
Final Preview: England vs Canada
When & Where
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London (sold out – 82,000 fans)
This is a clash of the world’s top two teams. England, undefeated in 32 straight tests, with depth, consistency, and home-field advantage. Canada, surging with belief after a dominant campaign and the statement win over New Zealand.
Tactical Matchups to Watch
- Set Pieces & Forward Battle
Canada’s scrums and lineouts have been near-perfect. England will need to disrupt these foundations to gain an edge. - Breakdown / Ruck Speed
Canada leads the tournament in ruck speed. Quick ball means quick tries. England must slow the contest or risk being stretched. - Wide Attack & Finishing
England’s backs are lethal when they get space. Can Canada’s defense hold shape out wide? - Bench / Depth Impact
The last 20 minutes could swing the match. England’s bench is stacked, but Canada has momentum on their side. - Pressure & Discipline
Finals are decided in small margins: penalties near the posts, missed lineouts, botched kick returns. Expect both sides to test each other’s nerves.
Prediction
England are favorites — home crowd, depth, and history on their side. But Canada has already proven they can topple giants. If their set piece holds and they keep the tempo high, this could be a thriller.
My pick: Canada 🏆
Canada’s Road to the Final 🚨
No matter Saturday’s result, Canada’s women’s rugby team has already made history.
Pool Stage Perfection
46–5 vs Japan — Canada opened their campaign with clinical finishing and relentless forward carries.
32–5 vs Fiji — The set piece clicked, and the defense conceded just one try.
28–7 vs Wales — A tighter contest, but Canada’s discipline and kicking game kept them in control.
Canada topped Pool B with a perfect record.
Quarter-Final Statement
46–5 vs Australia — A demolition job. The Canadian forwards dominated, Sophie de Goede marshaled the game brilliantly, and the backline finished with ruthless efficiency.
Semi-Final Shockwave
34–19 vs New Zealand — The defining win. Canada shut down the Black Ferns’ famed offload game and ran away with it. The upset wasn’t fluke — it was domination.
Key Players
Sophie de Goede (Captain): The heartbeat of this team — tactically sharp, physically dominant, and composed under pressure.
Justine Pelletier (Scrum-half): Vision and quick ball delivery have kept Canada’s attack humming.
Forwards Unit: From lineout lifters to scrummagers, they’ve built the platform for every victory.
Why This Matters
This is Canada’s first World Cup final appearance since 2014, and it comes at a time when women’s rugby is exploding globally. Their run validates years of development and shows the world that North America belongs in the top tier of the game.
👉 Want even more detail? We’ll have a full feature dedicated to Canada’s Road to the Final soon, including player spotlights, fan reactions, and what this means for the future of women’s rugby in Canada.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup has already been historic — sold-out crowds, upsets, and unforgettable performances. The final at Twickenham is the perfect climax: England’s Red Roses vs Canada’s trailblazers.
For England, it’s about redemption and lifting the trophy at home. For Canada, it’s about validation and proving they belong at the very top of world rugby.
Either way, the sport wins — and women’s rugby steps into an even brighter spotlight. Check our guide to Women’s Rugby for a refresher.
