Canada’s glittering wing Asia Hogan-Rochester says she is looking forward to expressing herself in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final against England.
WATCH MORE: How tragedy freed world player of the year nominee Jones
Watch England v Canada live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app from 15:00 BST on Saturday.
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Alphonsi: “England will win but it is going to be close. I am going to say by two points.”
Merchant: “England win. They’ve been dominant for so long. Last year they were putting in amazing performances and everything was clicking.
“Watching the WXV tournament, there wasn’t a single team in the world that could beat them on form. The more you’ve seen teams show up this World Cup – like Canada – the more you get worried.”
Orchard: “By hook or by crook it will be ugly, but England will scrap themselves over the line.
“John Mitchell has had this England team for a number of campaigns. This is also his fifth World Cup as a coach – four with different men’s sides.
“He was hired to help manage the occasion and if they don’t come out with the trophy at the end there has got to be a big review and questions asked about the approach.
“The amount of money the RFU (Rugby Football Union) have pumped into women’s rugby – they should be winning a World Cup.”
McKenzie: “Canada. We are aware of the speed and intensity Canada will bring and they will start strongly as they have done throughout the tournament.
“England have not started fast. That is going to be a telling first 20 minutes, but the back 20 minutes are going to be the most impactful.”
Monye: “It will be an open game. When it is 50-50, as an Englishman, I have to say the Red Roses win.”
Thomas: “Canada. They have played much better rugby than England for the past five weeks and I think they have got such a grounded coach in Kevin Rouet and a strong connection.
“I have been convinced by Canada and I haven’t been by England.”
Dragons are the first Welsh team in action when they travel to face Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.
The club have been the most vocal of the regions in criticising the plans to drop to two sides, stating “Welsh rugby deserves better and the WRU must rethink”.
Chair David Wright says the initial proposals “don’t add up” and that there was no way the Dragons could agree to them as they were.
Co-captain and Wales lock Ben Carter says it is a concern but has praised his squad on focusing on the rugby which he says is “the number one priority”.
His head coach Filo Tiatia agrees.
“What happens with the WRU, we’ll leave it with our chairman and CEO and they’ll fight the battle,” said the former All Black.
“What we can focus on is how we move forward with the current conditions and what we know.
“There’s talk of two teams, we can’t control that. We might as well not focus on the things because we’re burning energy.”
England have named an unchanged team for the Women’s Rugby World Cup final against Canada on Saturday at Twickenham.
John Mitchell has opted to stick with the same starting XV and replacements who overcame a slow start to defeat France 35-17 in the last four.
Zoe Aldcroft captains the Red Roses in their seventh straight World Cup final.
England have not won the tournament since 2014, losing the past two finals to New Zealand.
Star full-back Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Amy Cokayne, Aldcroft, Abbie Ward and Alex Matthews all retain their spots from the starting XV defeated by the Black Ferns three years ago.
The Red Roses, who are on a record 32-Test winning run, have not lost since that defeat at Eden Park.
They went into that match having won their previous 30 games, and are up against an in-form Canada side on Saturday.
Kevin Rouet’s side, ranked number two in the world, have looked a class above all their opponents this tournament and delivered a remarkable semi-final performance to comfortably defeat New Zealand and reach their first World Cup final since they lost to England in 2014.
Canada are semi-professional, and have had to crowdfund nearly a third of the budget for their World Cup campaign – they are currently at 95% of their million-dollar fundraising goal entitled Mission: Win Rugby World Cup.
England have been professional since 2019 and are favourites to lift a home World Cup in front of an 82-000 capacity, sold-out Twickenham.
Saturday’s crowd will surpass the 58,498 who watched England beat France at the same stadium in the 2023 Six Nations – the previous record for a XV-a-side match – and the 66,000 who watched the women’s rugby sevens at Stade de France during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“Our staff and players have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament,” Mitchell said.
“Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium [Twickenham] in front of a record 82,000 is a significant milestone for the sport.
“We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is number one versus number two in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively.”
Since taking over the role as head coach in 2023, Mitchell has built depth by rotating his squad regularly to build two strong teams.
Holly Aitchison impressed off the bench at inside centre in the semi-final win, while former England World Cup-winner Kat Merchant called for Lucy Packer to start at scrum-half over Natasha Hunt.
But Mitchell as expected has gone for consistency in selection instead of making a big call to unsettle his preferred matchday 23.
His side defeated Canada by nine points when they met in the WXV1 last year in Vancouver.
There have been a number of new additions to the coaching and playing staff for Ulster ahead of the new campaign as they aim to muscle their way back into the top eight.
Juarno Augustus has been signed from Northampton while Australia prop Angus Bell will join the squad after the autumn internationals.
Mark Sexton has arrived as attack coach, with Willie Faloon now in permanent charge of the defence.
Henderson is enthused by the impact Augustus and Sexton have already had and believes the team are already in a better shape to compete with younger players now having a tough year of senior rugby under their belts.
“Mark Sexton has been working wonders with our attack, it feels fresh and new,” added the 33-year-old.
“A handful of older guys leaving last year have lifted the ceiling of those young guys who have been stepping into shoes and there are a couple of new players kicking around, I can’t wait to see them cause a bit of disruption.
“Watching him [Augustus] in training, there’s no doubt in my mind he is going to cause a bit of damage and that is exciting.
“There is so much there to cause excitement and the excitement they [young players] bring rejuvenates me, I feel like my body has been brilliant in pre-season and I want to be part of this new Ulster coming through with the freshness I feel.”
Ulster edged past Dragons 34-30 at Rodney Parade last season, but Henderson added that both teams’ summer business means Friday’s game at the Affidea Stadium will be a different proposition.
“They caused us loads of issues over there last year, but they have signed a heap of new players and will be a different team and how we have progressed in pre-season, we are a different team to last year.”
There have been nine previous Women’s World Cups but only three nations have lifted the trophy – New Zealand (six times), England (twice) and the United States (once).
England have played in eight finals but only won two of them, in 1994 and 2014.
Canada lost on their only previous appearance in a final, falling to England in 2014.
The United States won the inaugural tournament in Cardiff.
2021: New Zealand 34-31 England – Eden Park, Auckland*
*competition was postponed to 2022 because of Covid pandemic
2017: New Zealand 41-32 England – Ravenhill, Belfast
2014: England 21-9 Canada – Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
2010: New Zealand 13-10 England – Twickenham Stoop, London
2006: New Zealand 25-17 England – Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
2002: New Zealand 19-9 England – Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
1998: New Zealand 44-12 USA – National Rugby Centre Stadium, Amsterdam
1994: England 38-23 USA – Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
1991: USA 19-6 England – Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Six-time world champions New Zealand were undefeated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for 11 years – a winning streak that spanned 4,063 days.
None of the matchday 23 in Bristol on Friday had lost a World Cup game.
They had not lost a knockout game in the competition since 1991.
They had only lost twice in 42 World Cup games.
Their record now reads: Played 43, lost three.
Canada, who had to set up a £530,000 (C$1m) fundraising drive – titled Mission: Win Rugby World Cup – to help them reach the tournament, delivered an incredible semi-final performance in Bristol to end New Zealand’s bid for a third straight title.
A sensational first-half performance, including three tries in the opening 25 minutes, saw the number two ranked side in the world gain control of the game right from the opening whistle.
When lock Sophie de Goede knocked over a conversion for her own try after striding clear, the half-time scoreline read 24-7.
A response was always expected by the back-to-back world champions, but Canada cleverly saw out the game to set up a final against France or England at Twickenham next Saturday.
“You see how well-resourced some nations are, and then you have fairytales,” former England captain Katy Daley-Mclean told BBC Two. “Canada are a fairytale.
“You don’t beat New Zealand in World Cups. That was a statement of intent for whoever they play next week.
“They were outstanding. They dismantled New Zealand, they were powerful and brave and absolutely nailed their performance.”
New Zealand World Cup winner Ruby Tui added: “It was tectonic, it was seismic. There was an earthquake here at Ashton Gate.
“They’ve done something very special.”
Canada sensationally deposed Women’s Rugby World Cup holders New Zealand, inflicting the Black Ferns’ first defeat in the tournament in 11 years to advance to the final.
It will be only Canada’s second final appearance, after they lost to England in the 2014 showpiece. They could face the Red Roses again with England taking on France in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Whoever the opposition, Canada will be confident of claiming their first world title after ruthlessly burying the Black Ferns in Bristol.
Six-time champions New Zealand came into the game as slight favourites given their pedigree at the business end of World Cups, but Canada were supreme on both sides of the ball and in every department.
In the build-up to the game, Canada had spoken about the belief they had taken from their last two meetings with the Black Ferns – a 22-19 win and a 27-27 draw, both in Christchurch.
Even their most ardent fans though would not have expected victory by such an emphatic margin.
After first-half tries from scrum-half Justine Pelletier, wing Asia Hogan-Rochester, centre Florence Symonds and second row Sophie de Goede, Canada headed down the tunnel 17 points clear.
Three minutes after the restart, centre Alex Tessier, who plays her club rugby in Exeter, stepped off her right foot and sauntered in to make it 31-7 and all but extinguish Kiwi hopes.
New Zealand won their world title by overhauling England’s double-digit lead at Eden Park three years ago.
However, they did not have to make up such a vast deficit and, despite Liana Mikaele-Tu’u crossing from close range and Braxton Sorensen-McGee being put in by Ruahei Demant’s cross-field punt, they never looked like producing another famous comeback as 24,392 fans at Ashton Gate acclaimed the victors.
More to follow.
England forward Hannah Botterman speaks to BBC Sport’s Jo Currie as she gets her hair cut before the Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday.
Watch England v France live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 15:30 BST on Saturday, 20 September.
Morning training would start early.
If any of Waterman’s young players weren’t on the touchline by 6:30am, the gate would shut and she would exclude any latecomers from the session.
“I lived in Gloucester, so I would travel to Hartpury and get all the equipment out before each session,” she said.
“I said to the girls if I can be here and be ready for you on time – you only have to walk 200 metres to get here.
“I was pretty strict with them, but for good reason – if you turned up to an England session late, you wouldn’t be training and you wouldn’t be selected.
“I would much rather they learn their lessons with me in that safe environment.
“Living that far away from home at that age, they needed a coach, a mentor, various elements of being a psychologist, a bit of a mum in some ways.
“I was called ‘Mummy Nolli’ quite a lot! There was a bit of a running joke that not many could come out of a meeting with me, without having had a little bit of a cry.
“I think I was just that consistent and constant person that they could come to and talk to about anything.”
It was serious. But, inevitably, it was also silly.
Waterman remembers one player having their possessions covered in cling film. Another had their legs turn orange when one of her team-mates swapped massage oil for fake tan.
“It was the best time of my life,” says Jones. “It was such an important time, it set us up for now.”
Waterman reluctantly left after three years in the role, struggling to balance being a player and a teacher.
Nine months later, she scored the opening try in England’s 21-9 win over Canada in the World Cup final.
In nine days time, she hopes to see her former charges become the first England team to win the title since then.
“They deserve everything that comes their way because they are not just incredibly talented rugby players, but more so because they are brilliant women,” said Waterman.
“They are exactly who I want my son, along with so many young girls and daughters across the country, to be looking up to. They are mega.”
Whether or not Waterman’s former pupils end up posing with the trophy on 27 September, it won’t be the image that means most to her however.
“They are at an age now where some are having had children or are getting married and I see the photographs – and, years on, there is always a photograph of them with their friends from Hartpury,” she says.
“The lifelong friendships that they all have are so special. To me, that is one of the biggest and most precious things I’ve taken from my time coaching them – my friendship with them, but also the friendships and fun that they have still together.”
You can find out more about Hartpury’s influence on the Red Roses on a special report to be broadcast by BBC Bristol on Friday, 26 September.
Ellie Kildunne returns from a concussion suffered in England’s final pool-stage game against Australia a fortnight ago to take her place as starting full-back in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday.
The 26-year-old World Player of the Year sat out the quarter-final win over Scotland, but has come through the necessary medical checks to add pace and attacking intent to England’s back three.
Prop Hannah Botterman, who has been a force in the loose and at the breakdown so far at the tournament, returns at loose-head prop after back spasms, replacing Kelsey Clifford, who scored two tries against Scotland in her absence.
Zoe Harrison’s game management means she is preferred at fly-half to Holly Aitchison, who impressed at times against Scotland, but whose higher-risk game did not always come off in wet conditions.
Aitchison, 28, had been John Mitchell’s regular starting fly-half until Harrison’s form led to her taking the spot during this year’s Women’s Six Nations.
Despite being known for her kicking game and control, since 2023 Harrison’s involvement in tries per 80 minutes is nearly double that of Aitchison at 1.8 to 1.0.
Saracens fly-half Harrison started the World Cup final defeat by New Zealand in 2022 and is now in pole position to do so again if Mitchell’s side make the final.
Abbie Ward is promoted from the bench and will partner Morwenna Talling, whose player of the match performance against Scotland earns her the nod over Rosie Galligan, in the second row.
Holders New Zealand and Canada meet in the other semi-final on Friday night.
Defeat by the Black Ferns in the last World Cup final is England’s only loss in their past 62 matches – a statistic that stretches back to 2019.
However, Saturday’s semi-final is likely to be the Red Roses’ toughest game by far of a World Cup campaign in which they are yet to be tested.
France, who fought back to beat Ireland 18-13 in the quarter-finals, are the side who have come closest to ending England’s record 31-match winning run, losing this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam finale 43-42.
But World Cup hosts England are on a 16-game winning run against Les Bleues – last losing to their cross-Channel neighbours in the 2018 Six Nations.
Mitchell has consistently rotated his side to build depth for the World Cup and now appears to have settled on his strongest matchday 23.
England, who last won the tournament in 2014, have lost the past two finals to New Zealand.
After the physios and doctors have looked at the data, adaptations can be made in training, which could include a reduction of intensity, taking out extra conditioning or in a lot of cases adding extra mobility sessions in the warm-up.
“It’s about working out how can we maximise ourselves and when you are not feeling so great [bleeding], how can we adjust things like the gym to suit you,” explained Dow.
“You are not going to get PBs [personal bests] and that is OK.
“The coaches are not going to go, ‘can you push?’, because we know that that isn’t going to happen and that isn’t something to be frowned upon.”
Jarrell-Searcy, 26, said her team’s coaches are “very careful with our numbers and pushing into what they call, the red zone”.
The red zone can be seen where a player is in a state where they are fatigued and more at risk of injury through tiredness.
“It’s cycle informed, but it’s not as cycle mediated,” added Jarrell-Searcy.
This means the menstrual cycle doesn’t control what adaptations are made, it just influences decisions made by the professionals.
The menstrual cycle is personal, so often the physios will monitor the player during the sessions and games, but it is unlikely they will sit out training or a game.
“The perception of a period can take over, but when the players have their rugby head on, they tend to be focused and pretty involved,” said Okell.
Regardless of periods, Jarrell-Searcy added the game schedule stayed the same and a bleed was “not going to make or break you as an athlete”.
There are other things to aid players during stages of their menstrual cycle.
Clubs have nutritionists who can use the tracking data from players to help prepare the body for the bleed and ensure they get enough nutrients before, during and after sessions.
For example, an athlete will eat more carbohydrates to give them the energy stores they need.
“Some athletes will have a heavier bleed than others and we have to look at whether they will need some medical intervention in terms of adding in tablets.” added Okell.
This would give athletes more vitamins and minerals they might lose during a bleed.
She added: “We’re not men’s athletes, so we need to more so than just 40g of protein a day every day.”
“It’s not like this like 24-hour cycle that they (men) get to have,” said Jarell-Searcy. “We do need to be aware that you have to increase your intake of certain things and your behaviour around recovery to accommodate your hormonal fluctuations.”
Players also take things to try to minimise the pain of cramping in the stomach so they can continue to perform.
This includes ‘Sylvia’s Cramp Cocktail’ – named after a former member of the USA medical and physio team – which is a mixture of vitamins and minerals designed to replace those lost during a bleed.
“You just take it and then tough it out for the the next 20 minutes until it kicks in and then you’re OK to train,” revealed Jarrell-Searcy.
France back-row Axelle Berthoumieu has been cited for an alleged bite on Ireland’s Aoife Wafer in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.
France were trailing 13-0 at the time of the incident but recovered to take the win and will face England next.
Any retrospective action after a citing review could see the French back row handed a ban that may rule her out of the semi-final.
READ MORE: ‘Disgrace’ – France player cited after alleged bite
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England score six tries on their way to an impressive 40-8 win over Scotland to set up a clash with France in the semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
MATCH REPORT: Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals – England 40-8 Scotland
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“I give credit to my boys – we didn’t give up. And to the coach (Rassie Erasmus) as well,” said South Africa captain Siya Kolisi.
“We played fearlessly. We didn’t want to hold back. We knew what we needed to do and we believed in ourselves – that was the most important thing out there.”
South Africa made a strong start at the Wellington Regional Stadium but were denied a try following a brilliant Jordie Barrett tackle on Cheslin Kolbe.
RG Snyman did go over for South Africa, only to have the effort ruled out.
New Zealand responded through debutant Leroy Carter, who scored after a well-worked move.
South Africa drew level when Kolbe intercepted a pass in his own half before sprinting clear.
A Damian McKenzie penalty restored New Zealand’s lead but, from there on, it was all South Africa.
Kolbe scored his second try early in second half before Manie Libbok’s penalty.
Damian Willemse powered over the line to extend the Springboks’ lead following a poor New Zealand line-out, and Kwagga Smith, Snyman and Andre Esterhuizen added further tries.
“That’s a tough one to swallow,” said New Zealand captain Scott Barrett.
“The Springboks certainly showed up and took a real improvement from last week, and we just didn’t adjust. There’s a lot of areas where we can get better.”
In the remaining two rounds South Africa play Argentina and New Zealand take on Australia.
“We’ve got the right to fight for the Rugby Championship,” said Kolisi. “It’s open now and that’s what matters to us.”
Scotland have not been able to lay so much as a glove on England since however.
Instead it has been one-way traffic, with the Red Roses juggernaut steaming through Scotland again and again.
England have played Scotland 34 times in total, and, apart from those two defeats from another millennia, have won every time.
In the past five meetings, the average points difference between the teams has stretched to nearly 50.
The Auld Enemy has become old news; a rivalry devoid of jeopardy, a bitter punchline delivered on repeat for the Scots.
Kennedy believes the current gap between the teams is due to three things; structure, investment and raw numbers.
“There are a lot more players in England, firstly,” she says.
“Secondly, it is the pathways for players to become internationals. England set them up early on. They were ahead of every nation in that, not just Scotland.
“England were a lot quicker off the mark with investing in both sevens and XVs, which then feeds into domestic rugby. You don’t just become an international player, you have to come though those clubs.”
Kennedy is hopeful that the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border club competition with teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales that launched in 2023, can provide a proving ground to rival England’s PWR in time.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: “The response to the Women’s Rugby World Cup so far has been phenomenal. These figures reflect not only the growing appetite for the women’s game, but also the impact of our commitment to telling these stories in fresh, creative and digitally accessible ways.”
Matches have also been covered in live pages on the BBC Sport website. The most popular was England v USA, which had 757,000 views.
Games have also been streamed on the iPlayer and Sport apps, attracting a combined 5.8m streams so far. Non-home nation matches have also been popular, with 200,000 watching France v South Africa in Group D.
All four quarter-finals, including England’s clash with Scotland, will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer across this weekend on 13 and 14 September.
The semi-finals will also be live on TV, with the final on Saturday 27 September live on BBC One.
Following England’s performance against Australia Rugby Union Weekly discuss the dilemma John Mitchell faces picking his back three ahead of the Red Roses’ World Cup quarter-final against Scotland.
Christian Wade will leave reigning Super League champions Wigan Warriors at the end of the rugby league season in order to return to rugby union with Newcastle Red Bulls from December.
The 34-year-old crossed codes to join Wigan on a short-term deal from Gloucester at the end of the 2024-25 Premiership season but could not make a lasting impact in the 13-a-side game.
Wade made two appearances for Wigan and scored tries in both, but committed persistent handling mistakes when fielding high kicks in their defeat by Hull FC in July, which was the last time he played for the Warriors.
The second-highest try-scorer in Prem history – just eight behind Chris Ashton’s record – Wade’s imminent arrival is one of the first key moves by Newcastle following their takeover by Red Bull.
“It’s been an absolute honour to be involved with a great club like Wigan Warriors, and they’ve been fantastic with me,” Wade said., external
“I’ve never been someone to shy away from a challenge, I’ve learnt a lot from the experience and it’s a special organisation.
“Their fans are incredible, more like a football crowd with how tribal they are, and I’ve been proud to represent them.”
Wigan head coach Matt Peet paid tribute to Wade’s professionalism and commitment during his time with the Warriors.
“We’ve really enjoyed having him in the group and we wish him and his family all the very best as he moves on to this exciting new chapter with Newcastle. It is clear to see why he has had such an outstanding career,” Peet said., external
World player of the year Ellie Kildunne will miss England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Scotland next weekend after sustaining a head injury in the Red Roses’ 47-7 win over Australia.
The England full-back was forced off in the second half of England’s Pool A win on Saturday and faces a mandatory minimum 12-day stand-down period after showing concussion symptoms.
The 25-year-old will also need a hitch-free recovery to be back available to England in time for a potential semi-final on Saturday, 20 September.
Obvious concussion symptoms, such as those shown by Kildunne, negate the need for a pitchside head injury assessment (HIA).
Players whose concussion is diagnosed via an HIA, who have no history of concussion and show no symptoms at a check 36 hours after their injury, can return to action in a minimum of seven days.
However, that route – which could have made Kildunne available for the Scotland match – is not open to the England star under World Rugby’s rules as she showed clear concussion symptoms after banging her head on the turf in a tackle.
While 12 days is her minimum stand-down period from matches, Kildunne can only begin her individual training on Thursday morning at the earliest, with a return to team sessions only possible after all her symptoms have cleared.
Players, on average, take longer than the minimum period to pass medical checks and become available for matches.
England’s path through the draw means their semi-final would be on 20 September – 14 days after Kildunne sustained her concussion.
World Rugby have added lights to players’ smart mouthguards at this tournament so they flash when a player is in a collision that exceeds a set level of force, in addition to the existing alert they send to doctors on the touchlines.
Kildunne headed down the tunnel after the incident, but returned to watch the remainder of the game from the bench, offering a smile and wave to the fans when she was shown on the big screen.
The Red Roses were also forced to replace starting prop Hannah Botterman, who had to leave the field due to back spasms in the first half.
“Ellie [Kildunne] will go through return-to-play protocols,” said England head coach John Mitchell.
“There is normally a 12-day stand down. She is fine. She’ll be frustrated because she had a difficult day at the office. She’ll get better.
“Hannah [Botterman’s] got a muscle spasm, so that will take its course.”
England will monitor Botterman over the next two days before making a decision over whether she restarts training with the rest of the the team on Tuesday.
Captain Zoe Aldcroft missed England’s pool-stage wins over Samoa and Australia with a knee injury, but was back in contact training earlier this week and is expected to be available to face Scotland on Sunday, 14 September at Ashton Gate, Bristol.
Holly Aitchison, who had been kept out of England’s first two games by an ankle injury, made her tournament debut off the bench in the win over the United States in a piece of good news for Mitchell.