'The game's got a great future'published at 14:40 BST 27 September 2025
14:40 BST 27 September 2025
Canada v England (16:00 BST)
Shaun Dacosta BBC Newsbeat
Image caption,
(Molly left, Sophie on the right)
Hartpury College, where 10 out of the 23 players in the Red Roses squad trained, has been described as rugby's answer to Hogwarts.
Current students Molly Bunker and Sophie McQueen are hoping to see some magic from England tonight. Molly, 19, tells BBC Newsbeat: “It’s seriously inspirational seeing how far people have come that have been in our shoes not even that long ago."
Sophie, 20, says flanker Alex Matthews, who is in the national team's starting line-up, mentored her at the college. “It’s a testament to the person she is that you just think: 'its Al, it's not Alex Matthews'," she says.
“There’s actually 82,000 people going to watch her play a game of rugby and she’s such an incredible player and person.
Looking ahead to the match, Molly says England and Canada are "two of the best-performing teams from the entire campaign".
Canada rallies around its rugby starspublished at 14:38 BST 27 September 2025
14:38 BST 27 September 2025
Canada v England (16:00 BST)
Jessica Murphy BBC News, Toronto
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Canada's Asia Hogan-Rochester celebrates scoring a try during semi-final match
At a regular Monday night rugby practice in Toronto this week, some young players wore glitter on their faces as a nod to Asia Hogan-Rochester, who will be bringing her explosive speed - and her trademark flair - to the final.
Hogan-Rochester got her start at the Toronto Nomads rugby club, where the Olympic silver medalist began playing at 17.
That club, like many across Canada, are hosting a watch party as the country competes for its first-ever Rugby World Cup title.
"The excitement is really driven by the team and driven by how well they've played," Nomads president Steve Darley told the BBC before the match.
The Maple Leafs have even received support from none other than Canadian country icon Shania Twain, who cheered for them on social media.
Rugby in Canada is not prominent as the de-facto national sport - ice hockey - or basketball, Canadian football, and baseball, which all have pro leagues.
Darley says while the game has historically drawn in expats from countries where it's more popular, those who find the sport are drawn to its innate sportsmanship and camaraderie.
While Canada is facing a fierce competition in England - the number one ranked team - Darley says the team should “play without fear”.
“I hope they play with the style that they have played throughout this tournament, and with the smiles on their faces,” he says.
"It's super exciting. Everybody here is certainly cheering them on.”
'For the wave of Black'published at 14:33 BST 27 September 2025
14:33 BST 27 September 2025
FT: New Zealand 42-26 France
Collecting her trophy from Springbok legend Bryan Habana, player of the match Renee Holmes said, "That was for the wave of Black in here and at home. I’m proud of this country, we did it girls and I’m so proud of them.
"It means everything, it shows a lot. And that's what this team means. Thank you to the 50,000 in the crowd."
New Zealand were champions on home soil in 2021 (actually 2022 but who's counting) and in 2017. They couldn't pull off a hat-trick but have sealed third place at HQ.
'It will be a fantastic occasion'published at 14:24 BST 27 September 2025
14:24 BST 27 September 2025
Canada v England (16:00 BST)
England Rugby
England flanker Sadia Kabeya: "This World Cup has been a showcase of the growth of our game, and being part of it feels like a privilege. It has been a massive effort by everyone involved - staff and players - to get this point.
"We have had to earn the right to reach the final and every match has tested us in its own unique way, demanding the best from us. It’s first versus second in the world so it will be a fantastic occasion at Allianz Stadium.
"We can’t wait to see the thousands of white shirts, red cowboy hats and faces painted with Red Roses."
Mounted fanspublished at 14:15 BST 27 September 2025
14:15 BST 27 September 2025
England v Canada (16:00 BST)
Mike Henson BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium
Image source, Bbc
The Canada fans are fewer in number, but louder in volume.
This little group ease their way to the front of the rails for their team’s arrival, arguing, quite successfully, that they will relinquish their position once their team are through the gauntlet of fans.
SchellSeumanutafa 73', substituted for Seumanutafa at 73 minutes
Number
14
14, Corrigan
Corrigan
Number
13
13, Symonds
Symonds
Number
12
12, Tessier
Tessier
Number
11
11, Hogan-Rochester
Hogan-Rochester
Number
10
10, Perry
Perry
Number
9
9, Pelletier
PelletierApps 53', substituted for Apps at 53 minutes
Number
1
1, Hunt
HuntKassil 41', substituted for Kassil at 41 minutes
Number
2
2, Tuttosi
TuttosiBoag 66', substituted for Boag at 66 minutes
Number
3
3, Menin
MeninDeMerchant 69', substituted for DeMerchant at 69 minutes
Number
4
4, de Goede
de Goede
Number
5
5, O'Donnell
O'DonnellBeukeboom 53', substituted for Beukeboom at 53 minutes
Number
6
6, Crossley
CrossleySenft 66', substituted for Senft at 66 minutes
Number
7
7, Paquin
PaquinRoyer 66', substituted for Royer at 66 minutes
Number
8
8, Forteza
Forteza
Substitutes
home team, Canada
Number
16
16, Boag
Boag
Number
17
17, Kassil
Kassil
Number
18
18, DeMerchant
DeMerchant
Number
19
19, Beukeboom
Beukeboom
Number
20
20, Royer
Royer
Number
21
21, Senft
Senft
Number
22
22, Apps
Apps
Number
23
23, Seumanutafa
Seumanutafa
away team, England
Starting lineup
Number
15
15, Kildunne
Kildunne
Number
14
14, Dow
Dow
Number
13
13, Jones
Jones
Number
12
12, Heard
HeardAitchison 67', substituted for Aitchison at 67 minutes
Number
11
11, Breach
BreachClifford 59', substituted for Clifford at 59 minutesBreach 64', substituted for Breach at 64 minutesRowland 67', substituted for Rowland at 67 minutes
Number
10
10, Harrison
Harrison
Number
9
9, Hunt
HuntL Packer 61', substituted for L Packer at 61 minutes
Number
1
1, Botterman
Botterman52', Yellow card at 52 minutesClifford 64', substituted for Clifford at 64 minutes
Number
2
2, Cokayne
CokayneAtkin-Davies 61', substituted for Atkin-Davies at 61 minutes
Number
3
3, Muir
MuirBern 61', substituted for Bern at 61 minutes
Number
4
4, Talling
TallingGalligan 70', substituted for Galligan at 70 minutes
Number
5
5, Ward
WardFeaunati 70', substituted for Feaunati at 70 minutes
SchellSeumanutafa 73', substituted for Seumanutafa at 73 minutes
Number
14
14, Corrigan
Corrigan
Number
13
13, Symonds
Symonds
Number
12
12, Tessier
Tessier
Number
11
11, Hogan-Rochester
Hogan-Rochester
Number
10
10, Perry
Perry
Number
9
9, Pelletier
PelletierApps 53', substituted for Apps at 53 minutes
Number
1
1, Hunt
HuntKassil 41', substituted for Kassil at 41 minutes
Number
2
2, Tuttosi
TuttosiBoag 66', substituted for Boag at 66 minutes
Number
3
3, Menin
MeninDeMerchant 69', substituted for DeMerchant at 69 minutes
Number
4
4, de Goede
de Goede
Number
5
5, O'Donnell
O'DonnellBeukeboom 53', substituted for Beukeboom at 53 minutes
Number
6
6, Crossley
CrossleySenft 66', substituted for Senft at 66 minutes
Number
7
7, Paquin
PaquinRoyer 66', substituted for Royer at 66 minutes
Number
8
8, Forteza
Forteza
Substitutes
Number
16
16, Boag
Boag
Number
17
17, Kassil
Kassil
Number
18
18, DeMerchant
DeMerchant
Number
19
19, Beukeboom
Beukeboom
Number
20
20, Royer
Royer
Number
21
21, Senft
Senft
Number
22
22, Apps
Apps
Number
23
23, Seumanutafa
Seumanutafa
away team, England
Starting lineup
Number
15
15, Kildunne
Kildunne
Number
14
14, Dow
Dow
Number
13
13, Jones
Jones
Number
12
12, Heard
HeardAitchison 67', substituted for Aitchison at 67 minutes
Number
11
11, Breach
BreachClifford 59', substituted for Clifford at 59 minutesBreach 64', substituted for Breach at 64 minutesRowland 67', substituted for Rowland at 67 minutes
Number
10
10, Harrison
Harrison
Number
9
9, Hunt
HuntL Packer 61', substituted for L Packer at 61 minutes
Number
1
1, Botterman
Botterman52', Yellow card at 52 minutesClifford 64', substituted for Clifford at 64 minutes
Number
2
2, Cokayne
CokayneAtkin-Davies 61', substituted for Atkin-Davies at 61 minutes
Number
3
3, Muir
MuirBern 61', substituted for Bern at 61 minutes
Number
4
4, Talling
TallingGalligan 70', substituted for Galligan at 70 minutes
Number
5
5, Ward
WardFeaunati 70', substituted for Feaunati at 70 minutes