There has been plenty of gloom for England to endure even as they have sent women’s rugby up into the stratosphere but, at last, the sun shines on a Red Roses side in full bloom. The most successful international side in Test history now have the ultimate prize to crown their dominance – 32 matches unbeaten turned into a 33rd that mattered more than the rest put together. With a command, control and quality befitting champions, the hosts banished the ghosts of two final defeats to triumph again in front of a record crowd.
Seldom did it feel like there was to be more World Cup woe for John Mitchell’s history makers. Not here, not now, not on this, of all days. From the moment that Zoe Aldcroft had marched through the Rose and Crown Gates and into Allianz Stadium past the Twickenham thousands, England had the focus and authority of a team awaiting coronation. Could they handle the weight of expectation? Could they ever – Canada, so excellent throughout this World Cup, were comprehensively outplayed by an England side peaking at the right time. Mitchell had vowed to take this team from good to great and on the biggest stage in the sport’s history, they delivered.
