England Triumphs in the 2025 Rugby World Cup: Maggie Alphonsi Reflects on the Thrilling Victory Against Canada

England’s women’s rugby team made history by capturing the World Cup in 2014. In that match, they triumphed over Canada with a score of 21-9, played in front of just 20,000 fans at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris. Fast forward to a recent game at Twickenham, where an incredible 82,000 fans filled the stands, setting a record for attendance at a women’s rugby match. This crowd surpassed the previous high of 42,723 from England’s earlier match against the USA.

Emily Scarratt, an England centre, expressed her excitement, reflecting on past matches where attendance was low. “Today was the complete opposite,” she said, highlighting the growing support for women’s rugby. Katy Daly-McLean, who captained England during their World Cup win, shared her emotion during the national anthems, noting the significant shift in public interest.

The commitment to women’s rugby has also evolved. In 2019, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) began awarding full-time contracts to female players. Today, that number has grown from 28 to 32 centrally contracted players, along with additional support from their clubs.

However, the gap remains. Not all of Canada’s athletes are professionals, and they had to launch a crowdfunding campaign to participate in the tournament. This disparity was noted by former player Maggie Alphonsi, who emphasized the need for investment in women’s teams to achieve success.

Furthermore, recent statistics indicate an increase in participation and viewership for women’s sports, with events gaining attention across social media platforms. For instance, a 2022 survey revealed that 70% of sports fans believe that women’s sports are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

The success of this World Cup represents not just a victory for England but a pivotal moment in raising standards for women’s rugby globally. With growing support, both on and off the field, the future looks brighter than ever for women’s sports.



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