Lineups locked in for the biggest stage
Saturday’s showdown at Allianz Stadium will feature two identical squads to the ones that earned the semi‑final victories. England’s coach John Mitchell has left the 23‑player roster untouched after a dominant 38‑10 win over France. Canada’s boss, Francois Rouet, has done the same following their shock 25‑24 triumph over the defending champions New Zealand.
For England, the headline names are familiar. Fullback Ellie Kildunne—the player‑of‑the‑match against France—starts at the back, backed by wing Jess Breach and centre Megan Jones, both of whom have never missed a start in this tournament. Jones, who was nominated for World Player of the Year, brings a blend of power and finesse that has helped the Red Roses breach every defence they’ve faced.
The half‑back duo of Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison will again steer the attack, while captain Zoe Aldcroft will marshal the back row from blindside flanker. The front row—Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir—has been a set‑piece engine, winning the crucial scrums that have given England a platform to launch from.
Canada’s unchanged eleven mirrors the same philosophy. Scrum‑half Emily Grey will pair with fly‑half Brianna Miller, the partnership that sliced through the All Blacks’ line. Outside backs the likes of Laura Russell and Kayla Mack will be on the wing, while prop Hannah Blake and lock Ashley Glover anchor a forward pack that shocked the world by defeating New Zealand on home soil.
Why the coaches refused to tweak the roster
Both Mitchell and Rouet have spoken about the decision in press conferences over the past week. Mitchell said, “We’ve built something special in these six weeks. The chemistry is there, the trust is there, and I don’t want to disrupt what’s working.” Rouet echoed the sentiment, noting that the Canadians “found a formula that unlocked New Zealand’s defense, and we’re sticking with it”.
Sticking with a single lineup sends a clear message: the teams value continuity over the temptation to make a tactical switch. In a final where a single mistake can swing the result, keeping established partnerships can mean the difference between a smooth execution and a rushed adjustment.
The decision also reflects a broader shift in modern rugby coaching. Rather than rotating squads to keep opponents guessing, coaches are now prioritising squad cohesion, especially in high‑pressure environments. This approach mirrors what we’ve seen in men’s rugby, where stable units have often outperformed more fluid lineups.
Fans are also feeling the impact. With an expected 82,000 spectators—an all‑time record for a women’s rugby match—the atmosphere will be electric. The sheer size of the crowd adds another layer of pressure, and both teams want the players to focus on what they know best: their set moves, their timing, and their trust in each other.
England enters the final hungry for their first World Cup since 2014. The Red Roses have been in eight finals but have only lifted the trophy twice, so the weight of history sits heavily on their shoulders. Yet their performance throughout the tournament has been nothing short of dominant, leaving many to wonder if they’ll finally break the 11‑year drought.
Canada, ranked second in the world, is looking to rewrite its own story. Their semi‑final win over New Zealand was a watershed moment, signaling that the program’s long‑term investment is paying off. A win in the final would give them their first World Cup title and cement their rise as a true powerhouse.
- England’s unchanged starters: Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach, Megan Jones, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison, Zoe Aldcroft, Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir.
- Canada’s unchanged starters: Emily Grey, Brianna Miller, Laura Russell, Kayla Mack, Hannah Blake, Ashley Glover.
- Key coaches: John Mitchell (England), Francois Rouet (Canada).
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, 4 pm kickoff, 82,000‑strong crowd expected.
All eyes will be on how these two locked‑in squads handle the pressure, execute their game plans, and manage the massive crowd. As the Women's Rugby World Cup reaches its climax, the decision to keep the lineups unchanged could become the defining narrative of this final.