New Zealand vs Canada – Friday 19th September

Canada had crossed over twice through Justine Pelletier and Asia Hogan-Rochester with around 10 minutes gone, but it took over 10 more minutes before the next try was scored, this time through Florence Symonds.

New Zealand finally got their name on the scoreboard through Tanya Kalounivale, who powered her way over, but it was Canada who rounded off the scoring in the first half as Sophie de Goede dotted down underneath the posts with around 5 minutes remaining in the half.

Half-time: New Zealand 7 – 24 Canada
Canada’s Alex Tessier opened the scoring in the first couple of minutes of the second half. New Zealand were the next to strike with over 15 minutes gone in the second forty as Liana Mikaele-Tu'u scored before Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s effort was awarded in the corner 10 minutes later.

However, it was Canada who scored the final points and progressed to the final after a successful penalty conversion by de Goede in the final 10 minutes.

Full-time: New Zealand 19–34,Canada

France vs England – Saturday 20th September

Ellie Kildunne opened the scoring for the hosts with around 5 minutes gone after a brilliant solo effort, and it took nearly 20 minutes for France to respond, and they did through Nassira Konde despite some brilliant try-line defence by England.

England thought they had scored their second with around 30 minutes gone, but it was ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up, and another try was disallowed just over 5 minutes later, this time for a French forward pass.

Half-time: France 5-7 England
Five minutes into the second half, Amy Cokayne crossed over after a fabulous maul, and five minutes after that, France’s Kelly Arbey crossed over in the corner to reduce the deficit to two.

England hit back through Abbie Ward just before the end of the third quarter, and Kildunne completed her double after another superb solo effort with just over 10 minutes remaining in the match.

Konde crossed over for her second of the match with 7 minutes left, but it was England who completed the scoring through Megan Jones after the ball bounced off the post into her hands with a few minutes left in the match.

Full-time: France 17–35 England

The Final

England is now heading for their 7th consecutive final, but will be looking to improve on the 2022 campaign in which they were defeated 34-31 by New Zealand.

Canada has already improved on their 2022 campaign, in which they finished in 4th place after losing to France 36-0 in the bronze medal match, but they will also be looking to win their first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup title.

In the last five meetings between the two sides, England has claimed victory in all five matches, with this weekend’s final also being a repeat of the 2024 WXV 1 final in which England won 21-12.