Finals day after a month of drama
The Women's Rugby World Cup has delivered late twists, length-of-the-field tries and razor-tight finishes. Now it comes down to England and Canada in a final that feels closer than the pre-tournament chatter suggested. Canada, a team that even launched a crowdfunding campaign along the way, are not as big an underdog as many think.
How England win
- Set-piece and maul: bankable platforms that turn pressure into points.
- Territory and kicking: playing the game in the right areas, squeezing exits and forcing errors.
- Discipline under stress: minimising penalties to keep Canada at arm's length.
How Canada shock the favourites
- Collision gainline: if Canada can win the first contact, the tempo tilts their way.
- Breakdown accuracy: quick ball to stress the edges and open up phase speed.
- Defensive bite: line speed and double hits to disrupt England's rhythm.
The 16th player factor
Big-match energy matters. The crowd can be decisive in swinging momentum, lifting defensive sets and turning near-misses into game changers. This final has the feel of a contest where noise, pressure and small moments will tell.
Prediction
England's structure and depth make them deserved favourites, but Canada have a clear route to an upset if they dominate collisions and keep the penalty count low. Expect a tight arm-wrestle for an hour before composure and bench impact decide it.
