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England, Canada to vie for Women’s Rugby World Cup glory

England, Canada to vie for Women’s Rugby World Cup glory

RUGBY: Ellie Kildunne marked her return from concussion with two tries as England saw off a spirited France 35-17 in their Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final in Bristol yesterday (Sept 20).

RugbyWorld-Cup
By AFP

Sunday 21 September 2025 02:30 PM


England's full back Ellie Kildunne makes a break during the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final between France and England at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, yesterday (Sept 21). Photo: AFP

England's full back Ellie Kildunne makes a break during the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final between France and England at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, yesterday (Sept 21). Photo: AFP

The tournament hosts and favourites will face Canada in next Saturday’s (Sept 27) final at a sold-out Twickenham crowd of 82,000.

Canada, second behind England in the world rankings, ended double-defending champions New Zealand’s 11-year unbeaten run at the World Cup with a superb 34-19 win in Friday’s first semi-final in Bristol.

Next Saturday’s showpiece is England’s seventh final in a row, although they were beaten in five of the last six by New Zealand. The host nation will be bidding to win the World Cup for the first time since defeating Canada in the 2014 final in Paris.

“I am buzzing, it is all we have been dreaming of, we will keep our heads down, we know what is coming," player of the match Kildunne said after the win over France.

However, England prop Hannah Botterman warned that Canada would pose a stern challenge, saying: “They have been playing very good rugby, a different style... No celebrations (tonight) we have not won anything.”

Victory meant England extended their own world record to 32 consecutive wins, with this success their 17th victory in a row over France, who have now lost all nine of their Women’s World Cup semi-finals.