England vs Canada live: Latest score and updates as Red Roses chase home triumph in Women’s World Cup final in front of record crowd – UK Times

Canada’s Sophie de Goede, England’s Megan Jones and New Zealand’s Jorja Miller are in the running for World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year with all three earning recognition for their outstanding form and influence this season.

In the Breakthrough category, New Zealand duo Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee join Fiji’s Josifini Neihamu on the shortlist after making a huge impact in their debut 15s campaigns.

England centre Megan Jones learned of her World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year nomination just after helping the Red Roses past France into the final. Having started every match of the tournament she’s been a driving force at the heart of England’s campaign.

Todays final marks the ninth Rugby World Cup clash between England and Canada, more than any other pairing in tournament history. The Red Roses remain unbeaten in those encounters with seven wins and a single draw.

Both sides bring serious attacking firepower: Canada have been ruthless in the opening 40 minutes averaging four first-half tries per game, while England have finished strongest leading all teams with nearly five tries on average in the second half.

Individual performances have also stood out. Canada captain Sophie de Goede has carried the ball 85 times in this World Cup – the highest tally of any player adding to her record-breaking workload in 2021.

Meanwhile, scrum-halves Justine Pelletier (Canada) and Natasha Hunt (England) have each provided eight try assists, the joint-best in the competition.

“When England last won the World Cup in 2014, I was 12. Although the coverage of the tournament wasn’t like it is now, it was so inspirational to see female rugby players achieving something with their country.

“We are now in that spotlight and hold a responsibility as Red Roses to inspire young girls and boys to take an interest in our sport, whether watching or playing, and we hope that our sport continues to raise its profile following on from this World Cup.

“It has been an awesome experience, but we have to earn the right to an even better experience this weekend at Allianz Stadium.”

Megan Jones: “This World Cup has meant more than just rugby. It’s about visibility, identity, and showing up fully – on and off the pitch.

“We’ve had to fight for every second of game time in this tournament. We’ve earned the right to be here – not just as a team, but as individuals who bring everything we are into this squad.

“To run out at Allianz Stadium, knowing the stories we all carry, the communities we represent, and the history we’re creating – that’s massive. That’s what makes this final week so powerful.”

One of the standout themes of this World Cup has been the influence of players who cut their teeth on the sevens circuit bringing speed and sharp spatial awareness to the fifteens game.

Canada, ranked world number two has leaned heavily on this crossover talent with stars like Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester combining footwork and quick sevens instincts to dominate both attack and defence.

England too boasts a roster rich in previous sevens experience, including Alex Matthews, Ellie Kildunne, Helena Rowland and Megan Jones whose decision-making and ability to exploit space have been pivotal.

As the final approaches the stage is set for these sevens-honed stars to leave their mark and potentially decide who lifts the trophy.

England will rely on the home support of a capacity crowd for their Women’s Rugby World Cup final — but the tournament hosts will be using the away dressing room for Saturday’s decider.

The vast majority of those supporters will be cheering on the Red Roses as underdogs Canada, who sit second in the world rankings, seek to spring an upset.

Canada wing Asia Hogan-Rochester is among the players with experience of playing in front of a huge crowd, having represented her country at last year’s Paris Olympics when an unprecedented 66,000 people watched the opening day of the women’s rugby sevens programme at Stade de France.

“I feel like after a certain amount of thousands, it’s all just noise and you can’t hear each other either way,” said the 26-year-old.

Canada have wanted no part of the underdog tag at this World Cup, the second-ranked team in the world perhaps proving themselves the form team in the competition. They feel like this could be their time.

For Red Roses head coach John Mitchell, there is plenty on the line, too. A long, varied and distinguished coaching career does not so far contain a World Cup success – and this was the game that the New Zealander was appointed to win.

For England, this feels like a day of destiny. The best international rugby team in history are still seeking the ultimate prize to crown their dominance. Where better to end their World Cup hoodoo than on home soil, though