The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final brings England and Canada together on the sport’s biggest stage. This showdown at Twickenham on 27 September 2025 is not just about who lifts the trophy — it’s also a chance to settle long-standing rivalries and potentially shake up the Women’s World Rugby Rankings.
In this article, we’ll break down the head-to-head history between England and Canada, compare their current world rankings, and highlight what’s at stake in this historic final.
Head-to-Head History: England vs Canada
England and Canada have met numerous times across the history of women’s rugby. The results lean heavily toward England, but Canada has shown steady improvement, especially in recent tournaments.
- Total Matches Played: 32
- England Wins: 28
- Canada Wins: 4
- Most Recent Meeting: England defeated Canada 30–12 in July 2025 during a warm-up series.
- Biggest Margin of Victory (England): 66–7 (2014)
- Closest Match: Canada 13–11 England (2016 upset victory).
👉 Historically, England has dominated, but Canada’s recent performances — including their semi-final upset over New Zealand — suggest this could be their best chance yet to rewrite history.
Women’s World Rugby Rankings Comparison
As of September 2025, the official World Rugby Rankings show the gap between these two finalists has narrowed significantly.
| Rank | Team | Points (approx.) | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | ~97.7 | Undefeated in 2025 tournament |
| 2 | Canada | ~90.1 | Knocked out New Zealand in semi-final |
| 3 | New Zealand | ~88.7 | Eliminated in semi-final |
Key Takeaways:
- England sits firmly at the top but risks losing points if they fall at home in the final.
- Canada could climb to World No.1 with a victory — depending on the margin and ranking points exchange.
- The rankings gap of around 7.5 points is significant, but not insurmountable in a final with so much at stake.
Historical Context: World Cup Meetings
England and Canada have clashed before in Women’s Rugby World Cups, most notably:
- 2014 Final (Paris): England 21–9 Canada — England claimed the trophy.
- 2017 Semi-final (Belfast): England 20–10 Canada — a hard-fought win for the Red Roses.
- 2021 Pool Stage (Auckland): England 45–12 Canada — England dominated.
This 2025 final marks the first time Canada has returned to the World Cup final since 2014, offering them a chance at redemption.
What’s at Stake in the Final
- For England:
- A chance to reinforce their dominance in women’s rugby.
- Retain the #1 ranking and possibly extend their lead at the top.
- For Canada:
- A historic opportunity to become World Cup champions for the first time.
- The chance to overtake England in the world rankings and become the new #1.
- For Women’s Rugby Globally:
- A competitive final increases visibility and growth of the women’s game worldwide.
- A Canadian victory could signal a new era of balance at the top of the rankings.
Conclusion
The England vs Canada rivalry has been dominated by the Red Roses historically, but this World Cup final feels different. Canada’s breakthrough semi-final victory over New Zealand shows they are ready to challenge for the crown.
With world rankings on the line, the match at Twickenham will determine not just the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup champion, but also who sits on top of the rugby world.
Stay up to date with the latest numbers on our dedicated Women’s Rugby Rankings page.