Global rugby chiefs indicated Monday the proposed breakaway R360 league could yet have a role to play in a women's game buoyed by a successful World Cup in England if it can be aligned with the current fixture schedule.

Four of the 12 franchises in the planned R360 competition, which has former England centre Mike Tindall, a 2003 men's World Cup-winner, acting as a frontman, will be women's teams.

But World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin, speaking on Monday after tournament hosts England beat Canada in last weekend's World Cup final in front of a record crowd, said: "After what we've seen in the last five weeks, does rugby need to tear up all of its existing structures and do it completely differently? I'd argue no.

"We know that a number of the nations playing in this World Cup have already said, and will continue to say, that players who play in other leagues that aren't fitting within the schedules they have won’t be chosen for their international teams.

"With the WXV Global Series (World Rugby's women's international series designed to bridge the gap between World Cups), hopefully the certainty that we've provided now to national teams, federations and also to players is going to create a platform for investment to come into the sport.

"Hopefully R360 can be part of that."

Earlier this month, R360 withdrew its application for sanctioning by World Rugby and is looking to launch in October next year instead.

Gilpin, meanwhile, hailed the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup as the "generational sporting moment we believed we could deliver".

World Rugby said a total of 444 465 tickets were sold for the tournament, including the record 81 885 who attended England's 33-13 win over Canada in last Saturday's final at a sold-out Twickenham, with 50 per cent of all spectators during the event never having previously been to a women's rugby match before.

Further successes came from the bold decision to stage the opening match in the northeast football hotbed of Sunderland and to have finals day at Twickenham, the home of English rugby union, where an impressive crowd of some 50 000 watched New Zealand beat France in the third-place play-off just hours before the final itself.

Asked what advice she had for organisers of the next Women's World Cup, in Australia in four years' time, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 managing director Sarah Massey said: "Go bigger and bolder. We had that ambition right from the start and you have to back yourself."

Rugby chiefs said on Monday they had no qualms over England's dominance of the women's game after the Red Roses beat Canada in the World Cup final to extend their unbeaten run to 33 matches.

England's 33-13 victory at Twickenham on Saturday means they have not lost since a 34-31 defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in Auckland.

The tournament hosts won every match by a comfortable margin – their closest contest was a 35-17 semifinal win over France.

England's dominance has raised questions about the competitiveness of the women's game, with a mix of of professional, semi-professional, and even amateur teams at the 16-team tournament.

But Sally Horrox, World Rugby's chief of women's rugby, said she was relaxed about England's power.

"I wouldn't describe it as a concern," she said.

"I'm delighted that they've realised their potential and are showing us what great athletes they have and what a great team they absolutely are.

"When we look at all the performance metrics and all the work that's going on in those teams, not just the four we saw in the semifinals but right across the 16, there is demonstrable proof that the game is progressing at a rapid pace."

Yvonne Nolan, the competition director, highlighted an average of 9.2 tries per match and a goal-kicking success rate of 61 per cent, an increase of 10 per cent on the 2022 edition, as proof of rising standards.

She also cited the rise of first-time quarterfinalists South Africa as further evidence of an increasingly competitive international set-up.

"The stats tell the story," she said. "There's a gap in places but in other places the teams are very close. But they're all gaining ground."

Nolan, a former Ireland international, added: "Looking at the product it's better than it's ever been and that trajectory is going to continue.

"By next time (the 2029 Women's World Cup in Australia), we are going to see teams who have been released. Look at what South Africa have done, look at how far Fiji have come. We saw Brazil burst on the scene.

"Those teams will continue to grow because they won't be willing to be left behind."

Nearly 82 000 fans packed into Twickenham for the final – a new record for a women's international – while the total number of tickets sold, 444 465, also a new high.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne says there is "no reason" why England cannot win the next Women's Rugby World Cup after their triumph over Canada.

England's commanding 33-13 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Twickenham on Saturday extended their record run to 33 successive wins and went some way to easing the pain of several narrow defeats in World Cup finals.

The Red Roses have four years until they defend their title in Australia, with Kildunne knowing England will now be the game's prize scalp.

"If we have the ambition to keep on getting better in every training session and every game, there is no reason why we can't win a World Cup again," she said.

"It is long time away and there will be people chasing our tails. Everyone wants to knock off the top team, everyone wants to be a World Cup champion...

"We want to be an entertaining team, we want to score tries from every single corner of the pitch because we want more fans to come down."

Kildunne did her best to live up to those words on Saturday, with a typically scintillating run leading to a superb solo try that saw the 26-year-old sweep past six defenders.

'FIGHT OR FLIGHT'

"I'm an instinctive player and there are people in front of me I have to try and avoid," said Kildunne.

"It's fight or flight, and I'm in flight trying to avoid as many people as I can to get over the line.

"I'm a full-back and finisher and that's my job. In the same way your props are expected to scrum, your back three are expected to score.

"It was just one of those moments and I was just proud to put the team on the board. It's pretty cool scoring in front of 82 000 people."

England had just one win to show from six successive previous appearances in the final, including an agonising last-ditch loss to New Zealand in 2022.

"Of course I didn't want to feel the way I did at the last World Cup, but in my head that was never going to happen because it's a new tournament," said Kildunne. "We were here to win."

She added: "I don't feel the pressure in the first place. Pressure just means people care. It's about setting an expectation that people expect you to meet.

"I love the pressure, I love that people want to come to watch us, that people expect me to play well. And the team as well.

"There's no sense of relief, I always believed we would do well in this tournament."

An all-conquering England team still have "another peak to climb" after their Women's Rugby World Cup final win over Canada, according to coach John Mitchell.

Saturday's 33-13 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 81 885 – a new high for a women's rugby match – at their Twickenham headquarters extended England's record run to 33 wins in a row.

They have now won a remarkable 63 of their last 64 games in total, with the only flaw in that sequence a defeat by Mitchell's native New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 Women's World Cup final in Auckland.

But Mitchell, speaking at England's squad hotel on Sunday, insisted there would be no problems in finding fresh motivation for his world No 1-ranked side after they outscored Canada, second in the standings, five tries to two.

"I just think, yeah, we're probably no different to most explorers in the world," said Mitchell, who was named World Rugby's women's coach of the year after the final.

"They always find another peak to climb, and I think we will," he added.

Mitchell, a former coach of New Zealand's men's All Blacks and the England defence chief when they were beaten in the 2019 men's World Cup final by South Africa, was in no doubt that guiding England to their third women's world title and first in 11 years was a career highlight.

"It's huge. Like the girls said, there's some parts of the day that will stick in my life forever," he said.

"I remember when we got off the bus and we were walking in (to Twickenham), I just had a quick glance at the South Stand and that place was just spilling with people. I've never seen that before."

'CHANGED MY LIFE'

The 61-year-old added: "But also to be associated with these girls is that they're driven, they've changed my life and changed the way I think as well."

Asked what had changed exactly Mitchell, brought into the England women's set-up following their 2022 final defeat with the specific aim of winning the World Cup, replied: "Well, the thing is that I've spent most of my career in the men's game and it's a bias, isn't it?

"It's the only reference that I've ever had and to then get the opportunity to coach these girls...You've got to observe, you've got to listen and you've got to find ways that make them tick.

"I think the advice for any male (coaching in women's sport) is give the women the chance to express themselves.

"And I think that's probably the thing that I've allowed the girls to do, is allow them to express themselves."

Mitchell, whose contract runs until the end of the 2026 Women's Six Nations, was non-committal about his future.

"We've got a Six Nations in April, but I've got plenty of time to think about it as well," he said.

England have a victory party in London later Sunday, but captain Zoe Aldcroft, who went 13 months without an alcoholic drink until after Saturday's success, said there was still so much more for them to achieve.

"After we've had our celebrations, this chapter will close," she said. "And then it's about bringing in the next generation of Red Roses."

The flanker added: "We're very competitive people and we want to be at the top of our game always. We've won the World Cup but in a few weeks time we'll be back in the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) and wanting to fight for our clubs.

"The drive to keep pushing and get better never stops."

For England lock Abbie Ward, Saturday's success was all the more memorable for having her daughter Hallie in the crowd.

"It's incredibly inspirational to have my daughter there and she's driven me to this whole last two years, it's been amazing.

"But I think the wider picture is how everyone's daughters have driven us and we wear the T-shirts that say 'for the girls' and it really is."

England coach John Mitchell insisted the Red Roses could "dominate the world for a long time" after their 33-13 win over Canada in the Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday.

The victory ended England's lengthy wait to win a third world title to set alongside their 1994 and 2014 triumphs.

No 8 Alex Matthews, a world champion 11 years ago when England also beat Canada in the final, scored two of their five tries on Saturday.

England, the best-resourced team in women's rugby union and with the most competitive domestic league – Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) – had long been regarded as favourites to be crowned world champions on home soil.

But the fact England had won just once in six successive final appearances, including an agonising 34-31 defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 showpiece in Auckland – had raised questions about their ability under pressure.

Canada's Asia Hogan-Rochester tried to re-open those doubts with a fifth-minute try in front of a sellout crowd of 81 885 – a new record for a women's 15-a-side match – at the headquarters of English rugby union.

England, however, led 21-8 at halftime thanks to tries from full-back Ellie Kildunne, hooker Amy Cokayne and Matthews.

Abbie Ward added another try early in the second half before Matthews powered over 11 minutes from time as England extended their own record run to 33 successive wins.

"These girls are awesome," said Mitchell, brought into the England women's set-up after the 2022 final with the specific aim of winning the World Cup.

The 61-year-old New Zealander, a former head coach of the All Blacks and England's defence chief when they were beaten in the 2019 men's World Cup final by South Africa, added: "Three years ago we set about doing something and we finally took the last few steps today.

"I think 2022 taught us a lot... We can dominate the world for a long time, but the world's going to get better, so this is just the start."

'WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF'

Zoe Aldcroft, England's elated captain, said: "We have had 33 wins in a row and we have finally put the cherry on top of the cake by winning the World Cup.

"It feels great. Honestly, it's unbelievable. It is literally what dreams are made of."

Canada, second in the world rankings behind England, were superb in ending double-defending champions New Zealand's reign with a 34-19 semifinal win.

But they came up short in their second World Cup final against an England team that raised their game when it mattered most.

Canada launched a crowdfunding campaign entitled "Mission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025" in an attempt to raise one million Canadian dollars (US$717 257) ahead of the tournament.

Despite several players being attached to PWR clubs, Canada coach Kevin Rouet revealed some of his squad members only earned around £400 ($536) a month playing rugby.

"We need to just keep growing the women's game to help them not decide 'do I have a life or do I play rugby?'" he said.

Canada captain Alex Tessier, who plays in the PWR for Exeter, insisted funding was not the reason her side lost the final.

"That's not what made the difference tonight," she said. "I think we could have won it with whatever budget we had."

Rouet was left thinking of what might have been.

"It's frustrating for us because we know we didn't play our best game," said the Frenchman.

"It was just missing 80 minutes of good rugby for us to be world champions."

Alex Matthews scored two tries as tournament hosts and favourites England ended their long wait to win a third Women's Rugby World Cup title with a 33-13 victory over Canada in a Twickenham final on Saturday.

Victory in front of a record crowd of 81,885 gave England their first world title since defeating Canada 21-9 in the 2014 final in Paris – a match in which No 8 Matthews played – and third in total following their 1994 triumph.

This success also extended England's record run to 33 consecutive wins, with the Red Roses having won 63 of their past 64 matches – the lone blemish a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 final.

It was a much-needed win for an England side whose temperament had been repeatedly called into question after five defeats by New Zealand in the previous six World Cup finals.

England enjoyed a significant 21-8 half-time lead after outscoring Canada, appearing in just their second final, three tries to one in the opening 40 minutes.

Canada's Asia Hogan-Rochester opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute before England hit back through Ellie Kildunne, Amy Cokayne and Matthews.

Fly-half Zoe Harrison converted all three of those tries in front of a crowd that comfortably surpassed the previous highest attendance for a stand-alone 15-a-side women's international of 58,498 at Twickenham for England's 2023 Six Nations match clash against France.

England's forward power proved increasingly telling and lock Abbie Ward's try early in the second half put the Red Roses in command at 26-8 before Matthews, after a period of sustained Canada pressure, scored her second try 11 minutes from time.

England and Canada, first and second in the world rankings respectively, were unchanged from their semi-final wins, with Canada hugely impressive in dethroning double defending champions New Zealand 34-19 and England less convincing in defeating France 35-17.

Canada, who launched a crowd-funding campaign to help bolster their dreams of World Cup glory, struck first against the Red Roses – the best-resourced team in the women's game.

Hogan-Rochester's well-judged grubber kick gave Canada excellent field position, with the Maple Leafs then disrupting the ensuing England line-out before the left wing sprinted in down the touchline.

Goal-kicking lock Sophie de Goede was unlucky to see her conversion bounce back off the post.

KILDUNNE LEADS ENGLAND CHARGE

Canada's lead lasted just two minutes, however, as England hit back through Kildunne, the world player of the year.

The full-back, fresh from two tries against France, left two defenders in her slipstream as a typical slalom run saw her score a superb try between the posts.

England's forwards, with Sadia Kabeya outstanding, then scored in familiar fashion when a driving maul ended with hooker Cokayne being shoved over for a 19th-minute try.

Even though Canada, with several players at clubs in England's Premiership Women's Rugby competition, knew what was coming their way, they were unable to deal with their opponents' forward power in the 26th minute.

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt peeled away from the base of an advancing England scrum and nearly scored herself before releasing Matthews, who dived over for a try.

De Goede landed a simple 34th-minute penalty to cut England's lead to 13 points.

It seemed England had another driving maul try minutes later, but it was disallowed for offside following a review by the television match official.

But England did have a fourth try in the 50th minute, when, following several close-range drives, Ward powered over Canada's line.

England, however, were soon reduced to 14 players when hooker Hannah Botterman was yellow-carded for dump-tackling Canada veteran Karen Paquin.

Hogan-Rochester made the advantage count, exploiting an overlap out wide to score her second try of the final in the 53rd minute to cut England's lead to 26-13.

Canada, with Botterman still in the sin-bin, kept pressing for another try only to spoil a promising position near England's line with a knock-on from a tap penalty.

Matthews then put the result beyond doubt, driving low and hard, for a try converted by Harrison as England posted a 14th consecutive win over Canada.

New Zealand maintained their record of never losing back-to-back matches at the Women's Rugby World Cup with a 42-26 win over France in the third-place play-off at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Black Ferns had the match all but won at half-time, leading 26-7 after outscoring Les Bleues four tries to one in the opening period – with three of those scores coming in the closing eight minutes of the half.

New Zealand teenage wing sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee struck twice in the second half to take her tally for this tournament to 11 tries.

New Zealand, the record six-time women's world champions, had enough in hand to withstand a France fightback in the last quarter as Les Bleues scored three tries of their own.

New Zealand found themselves in unfamiliar territory after their run of 18 consecutive World Cup wins ended with a 34-19 semi-final loss to an inspired Canada – the Black Ferns' first loss at the tournament since 2014.

Breathless 🤯

An absolute thriller in London ends the way of New Zealand 🇳🇿#RWC2025 | #NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/6iMw5YpmEI

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2025

They had never before played in a bronze final, although New Zealand did share third place with France at the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991.

France, who have never reached the final, suffered a second defeat in their eighth bronze-medal game. They lost 35-17 by tournament hosts and favourites England in the semi-finals last weekend.

With some 50,000 fans already present at Twickenham ahead of an expected 82,000 sell-out for the final between England and Canada later Saturday, France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus crowned a typically flowing move for a 10th-minute try converted by Carla Arbez.

New Zealand were soon level when centre Stacey Waaka's sharp inside pass sent in fly-half Ruahei Demant for a try between the posts.

Black Ferns centre Sylvia Brunt, after several carries by the forwards, showed good strength to stretch over for a try eight minutes before the break.

A hard-fought campaign 💪

New Zealand earn bronze 👏#RWC2025 | #NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/0Ma49i6OvJ

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2025

There was still time for the Black Ferns, increasingly dominant up front, to add two more tries before the interval.

A give-and-go between Brunt and Renee Holmes ended with Holmes finishing unopposed before the full-back converted her own try.

On the stroke of half-time, the fit-again Jorja Miller set up second row Laura Bayfield to finish on the counter-attack.

Sorensen-McGee sprinted in from some 30 yards out early in the second half before Holmes landed a penalty.

Pride of The Fern 🖤

New Zealand are the bronze final winners at #RWC2025#NZLvFRA pic.twitter.com/33WxnCBQjR

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2025

There was an emotional moment when New Zealand great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who reversed her retirement from 15-a-side rugby to play at this World Cup, was replaced in what could be the wing's last match at this level.

After France had a try disallowed, Sorensen-McGee surged in for her second score of the match on the hour mark.

France's Lea Champon and Gabrielle Vernier pulled tries back before Emilie Boulard went over with eight minutes remaining.

But it was too little too late for Les Bleues, with player of the match Holmes having the final say with a last-minute penalty.

The top two teams in the global rankings clash in the Women's Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, with number-one England facing an in-form Canada at Twickenham.

Below, we looks at three key aspects of what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

CAN ENGLAND HOLD THEIR NERVE?

England, the best-resourced team in women's rugby union, go into the final on a record-breaking 32-match unbeaten run, with defeat by New Zealand in the 2022 final their lone loss in 63 games.

And yet the tournament hosts and favourites have just one win from six consecutive Women's World Cup finals, against Canada in 2014, when the Maple Leafs made their only previous appearance in the showpiece fixture.

Repeated failure to add to their two World Cup titles has led to awkward questions about England's ability to cope on the rare occasions when they are subjected to sustained pressure.

And should the Red Roses make as many handling errors as they did in a semi-final win over France, where they only led 7-5 at half-time, they could well be punished by a Canada side who were superb in seeing off double-defending champions New Zealand 34-19 in their last-four clash.

Saturday's match will be staged in front of a capacity crowd of over 82,000 at Twickenham, surpassing the previous women's 15-a-side record of 58,498 for the Red Roses' Six Nations encounter against France at English rugby union's headquarters in 2023.

A date with destiny 🤩

Saturday 27 September
16:00
📍 Allianz Stadium, London#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/HY5wKNHTcG

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2025

But England hooker Amy Cokayne, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the World Cup final three years ago only to finish on the losing side, insisted: "The bigger crowds we have had, that is when the big players stand up and we are a team full of big players."

CAN DE GOEDE STILL BE SO VERY GOOD?

It is perhaps unsurprising that Sophie de Goede is an outstanding rugby player, given that both her parents are former Canada captains.

But that only explains so much about the extraordinary prowess of the goal-kicking lock, with De Goede also scoring three tries in a tournament haul of 58 points prior to the final.

In addition, she has also won five turnovers, completed 65 of 70 tackles and leads the way for most offloads at this World Cup with 11.

All this has been achieved after De Goede, nominated this week for World Rugby's player of the year award, recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury

"It's been a long road back, it has not been linear," she said. "I think the team has been so wonderful in supporting me on and off the field."

De Goede added: "Any tries you see are off the back of multiple team members' positive impacts.

"One thing the team does really well is if the individual makes a decision, we all just play off the back of it."

'Stop De Goede and you stop Canada' may be too simplistic a slogan, but if England can limit her influence they could be well on their way to victory.

SCRUM-HALF BATTLE

Quick ball has been at the heart of Canada's run to the World Cup final, with scrum-half Justine Pelletier leading the way.

But England counterpart Natasha Hunt is no slouch either when looking to unleash a back-line featuring Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year.

Both Pelletier and Hunt have provided more try assists at this World Cup than any other player, with five apiece, and they are both blessed with an eye for a gap and an ability to put team-mates into space with a pass that can split the tightest of defences.

Much will depend on the respective packs, but their individual contest promises to be a fascinating game within a game.

Canada's Alysha Corrigan hopes the knowledge she gained competing in front of a partisan home crowd at last year's Paris Olympics will serve her well in a Women's Rugby World Cup final against tournament hosts and favourites England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The wing was involved in the Maple Leafs' march to Olympic Sevens silver at the 2024 Games, with the team defeating France in front of some 66,000 fans before losing to New Zealand in the final – a game where Corrigan scored a try.

Saturday's match, however, is set to take place in front of over 82,000 spectators at the sold-out home of English rugby union, thereby setting a new world record for attendance at a women's 15-a-side match by surpassing the 58,498 who watched England beat France at Twickenham during the 2023 Six Nations.

Will this incredible story have the ultimate ending? 🇨🇦#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/dJiz7bucoP

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 25, 2025

"Getting the opportunity to play in front of a record crowd is something special," Corrigan said Friday.

"We've had the chance to play (in front of) a home crowd in a knockout game and that's something we can take confidence from.

80 minutes away from history 🌹 #RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/UW7J1YNywG

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 25, 2025

"It doesn't change the way we're going to play tomorrow, we know that we have loads of Canadians cheering for us, so we're really excited."

A date with destiny 🤩

Saturday 27 September
16:00
📍 Allianz Stadium, London#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/HY5wKNHTcG

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2025

Canada have lost 13 tests in a row to England, with the Red Roses currently on a world record 32-match unbeaten run against all opponents

But the Maple Leafs, second to England's first in the world rankings, produced the performance of the World Cup so far with a 34-19 win over double-defending champions New Zealand in last Friday's semi-final in Bristol that exemplified Canada's pace and power.

"This (final) is a moment we've been building for and waiting for three years (World Cup), so we're excited it's finally here," said Corrigan.

"We've had eight days to soak in all the emotions and 'be where our feet are'," she added, with Canada looking to go one better after losing to England in the 2014 final – their only previous appearance in the showpiece match.

Corrigan is one of several Canada players appearing for clubs in England's elite Premiership Women's Rugby competition, with the Saracens flyer saying: "They know us and we know them, so it works both ways, but it definitely helps that we've played against each other every week for the last year.

"You know the tendencies of certain players, but they also know your tendencies. So it's going to be exciting. It's fun to have friends on their side."

Deborah Griffin cannot decide which is more extraordinary: that she is president of the Rugby Football Union or that a crowd of 82 000 will pack Twickenham for the Women's World Cup final.

Hosts England take on Canada in London on Saturday after a five-week tournament that has boosted the profile of the women's game.

Griffin, a former amateur player, said her exalted position and the Twickenham sell-out were "both quite incredible things to happen, and probably not before time".

Women's rugby in England was not even part of the RFU's remit when Griffin played her first match in 1978.

The notion of a woman president was unthinkable to the officials who ran what was then an amateur, male-dominated game.

"I went to university at University College London, went out with a guy who played rugby, so was watching him play and then a group of us decided to challenge our varsity rivals, King's College London, to a game of women's rugby," Griffin told AFP.

"And, you know, I just came off the field, thought: 'God, that was the best thing I'd done'. I loved it, and then just wanted to encourage other universities to start playing, and that's how it began."

Griffin, who was initially a scrum-half before moving to centre, helped establish the Women's Rugby Football Union in 1983 and was one of four women who organised the inaugural 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup in Wales.

"It was my idea," recalled Griffin. "I did a paper (proposal) for the WRFU and I just thought it would be really good to bring everybody together."

While the RFU helped bail out the fledgling tournament, officials at the International Rugby Board, the forerunner of World Rugby, were far from enthused.

"With the IRB, or World Rugby, a couple of times I got called in to be told that we shouldn't be doing what we were doing," said Griffin. "But the WRFU wasn't part of World Rugby, so they didn't really have anything to say to us."

A sign of how things have changed is that the Soviet team at the 1991 World Cup attempted to finance their trip by bartering goods, including vodka.

"It was a time when you couldn't bring any money out of Russia, so they brought a lot of things to sell, which was obviously not to Customs and Excise's pleasure," said Griffin as she recalled the reaction of UK tax authorities.

'FULL CIRCLE'

Griffin was speaking on Friday to AFP at her club, Richmond, a short distance from Twickenham in southwest London.

"I'm back at my club," said Griffin, who last month took over as the first woman president of the RFU in its 154-year history. "And I'm secretary here now, so it's brilliant, it has come full circle."

Saturday's crowd at Twickenham should comfortably surpass the 58 498 who watched England beat France at there in the 2023 Six Nations – the previous record for a women's 15-a-side match.

"It makes me feel very proud that I was there at the beginning and, at different points in time, I've sort of helped push it along," said Griffin.

She said she was getting "more and more nervous" for the top-ranked and now fully professional Red Roses as they prepare to face underdogs Canada in a repeat of the 2014 final won by England.

The Maple Leafs are fresh from an impressive 34-19 semifinal victory over defending champions New Zealand.

"Of course I want England to win, but I'm trying to keep calm," Griffin said. "Canada are not a dark horse. They're No 2 in the world."

Regardless of the outcome, Griffin believes that this World Cup has already been a step change for women's rugby, with the tournament beamed across the world.

"I think it (rugby) will continue to grow, because it is a fabulous sport," she said. "I just want more and more people to play the game and enjoy it like I have."

England great Maggie Alphonsi has warned that Canada are capable of reaching "another level" against the Red Roses in Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham.

Canada produced the performance of the tournament so far to beat double-defending champions New Zealand 34-19 in the semifinals, while England struggled to overcome France 35-17.

England are bidding to win the tournament for the first time since 2014, when now-retired flanker Alphonsi was involved in a 21-9 defeat of Canada in the Paris final.

"New Zealand, the Black Ferns, have won the World Cup six times and yet they almost got just brushed aside by the way the Canadians were so fit, so athletic," Alphonsi told AFP on Friday.

"England will be up against it.

"Some might say 'Have Canada played their World Cup final'? But then again, they've won against New Zealand before, so they've got to be ready to go again.

"This Canadian side, half of them play in England, half of them play in France so they will know the English style well."

England have won their past 13 tests against Canada and are on a world-record streak of 32 wins in a row.

Their lone defeat in 63 matches was an agonising 34-31 loss to New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final.

But Canada are unbeaten in international rugby union in 2025 and have lost just once in 19 matches, a 21-12 reverse against England at last year's WXV1 tournament

"Sophie de Goede, Justine Pelletier have all had a huge impact in certain games that Canada have played – they could definitely punish you," said Alphonsi.

"You almost feel for the Canadians, they've got another level to go. But it's the same for England, they haven't played their best rugby (at the World Cup)."

'SUCH A NATURAL'

England will again look to full-back Ellie Kildunne to spearhead their attack after the world player of the year scored two fine tries against France.

"Ellie Kildunne, she's such a natural," said Alphonsi. "She just plays like it's what she does every day. So I do think she'll love the occasion and love the moment."

The importance of Saturday's final being played out in front of a sold-out Twickenham crowd of around 82 000 – which will be a new record for a women's 15-a-side match – is not lost on Alphonsi.

"Our World Cup final in 2010 was at the Twickenham Stoop (the nearby home of London club Harlequins), 14 000 people were there then. And then you fast forward now – 2025, 82 000, so different.

"But I'm just so pleased how far the game has come."

"There's been such good investment from (the UK) National Lottery that has put £6 billion ($8 billion) into grassroots' sports over the last 30 years, and £170 million of that has gone into women's and girls' rugby, so I'm just really proud to see how far it's come."

It's not quite David taking on Goliath as Canada challenge England in Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup final but the financial gulf between the two teams is vast.

While the world No 1 hosts can wallow in the riches of a full professional set-up, the second-ranked Canadians resorted to crowdfunding to raise the extra one million Canadian dollars ($720 000) that they felt they needed to launch a serious tilt at the tournament.

Thus far, it seems to have worked. They stunned holders New Zealand in the semifinals last week with a dazzling performance to set-up a decider at a sold-out 82 000-capacity Twickenham. They now stand one pace away from a first World Cup title.

Their preparation for the competition, however, started a year ago when Rugby Canada chief executive officer Nathan Bombrys met with head coach Kevin Rouet to discuss their plans.

"He worked out a plan, given our circumstances, for what it would take to send the team well prepared," Bombrys told the Canadian Press on Tuesday.

"And then we priced it up. As an organisation we put (Canadian) $2.6 million behind the team -— probably the most Rugby Canada's ever put behind a team -— but we identified a gap of a million bucks, so we said 'OK, let's go try to raise that money'.

"People laughed at me when I said 'we're going to raise a million bucks'," Bombrys added, but "that's what we did."

In March, the crowdfund was launched, with the title "Mission – Win the Rugby World Cup" and 48 hours before the surprise last four victory over the Black Ferns, they had reached 95 per cent of their goal.

"Even if we're the second-best team in the world, it's incredible," scrum-half Justine Pelletier told CBC Sports in June about the crowdfunding.

"Just to get to a match, it takes more effort for us.

"At times it's tiring to have to adapt, sometimes we'd like to be able to breath a bit," she added.

'BIGGER THAN FAME'

In the country of 41.5 million people and a total land and water mass only beaten by Russia, rugby union, and women's rugby specifically, has to fight for attention and coverage.

Ice hockey reigns from Quebec to Vancouver via Toronto but Saturday's game will be broadcast on the sports channel TSN and CTV, and mercifully avoids a clash with the NHL, with the new season not starting until early October.

Even so, there appears to be limited appetite, although at least one pub, McLean's in Montreal, will be opening earlier than usual to screen it.

But then Pelletier and Sophie De Goede are hardly global names with the pull of someone like Ilona Maher from across the border in the USA. Not yet anyway.

Ten of Canada's starting XV at Twickenham have contracts with English or French clubs but the squad is far from being fully professional, unlike their opponents on Saturday who are all fulltime rugby players.

"In Canada, it's not professional," former international wing Frederique Rajotte told AFP.

"If you look at England, they have a budget of millions of dollars a year for this programme. It's completely professional.

"But Rugby Canada couldn't provide that amount of money, which is crazy. And that's where crowdfunding comes in."

Their march to Saturday's showdown has been led by Saracens lock De Goede, who has been nominated for the World Rugby women's player of the year award having unusually kicked 58 points from second-row – evoking memories of John Eales when he led Australia to the 1999 men's World Cup.

"What we are doing is bigger than just winning the World Cup," Saracens back-rower Laetitia Royer told RugbyPass this week.

"We're doing it for rugby in our nation. Putting rugby on the map in Canada and opening up the possibilities for our future as professional athletes.

"Our way is so much bigger than fame."

England, the team that have everything except the thing they most want, face Canada in Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup final, with coach John Mitchell hoping lessons he learned in the men's game can end their long wait for global glory.

England are the best-backed team in women's rugby, their governing Rugby Football Union reporting annual revenues for the financial year of 2023/24 of £175.2 million ($233.6 million).

Canada, meanwhile, launched a crowd-funding campaign to bolster their bid for an inaugural world title, with £1.4 million of backing from their national union boosted by nearly £540 000 of external investment.

But coach Kevin Rouet insisted Rugby Canada "did their best", with the additional finance needed "to win the World Cup, not just to go to the World Cup".

The Red Roses, on a record 32-game winning streak, also compete in England's unrivalled Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR).

They now go into Saturday's finale at Twickenham, the headquarters of English rugby union, set to be roared on by an expected capacity crowd of over 82 000 – which will smash the record for a women's 15-a-side match.

And yet for all their advantages, including a large playing base, England have won the Women's Rugby World Cup just twice, the last time in 2014 when they beat Canada 21-9 in a Paris final – the Maple Leafs' only previous appearance in the showpiece game.

Defeats in five of the past six finals by Mitchell's native New Zealand have led to questions about England's ability to cope under pressure when it really matters.

Those doubts resurfaced during a semifinal where England only led France 7-5 at halftime before winning 35-17.

Indeed Mitchell, a former coach of New Zealand men's All Blacks, was drafted into the England women's set-up following their agonising 34-31 loss to the Black Ferns in the Covid-delayed 2022 final in Auckland.

'EMOTIONAL TANK'

But it his time as an assistant coach with the England team beaten by South Africa in the 2022 men's Rugby World Cup final in Japan, after defeating the All Blacks in the semifinal, that Mitchell is relying on now.

"I still look back on 2019 and the semifinal was a huge performance and I think we sometimes as coaches don’t recognise the emotional tank plus the physical tank that is emptied in such occasions," said Mitchell after naming an unchanged team on Thursday.

"We possibly in 2019 didn’t deal with the emotional tank, refill it well enough.

"The way we have prepared this week is we have made sure we (were off for) a couple of days after the semifinal performance to be able to come in and get focused on the plan we need to execute on the weekend."

England captain Zoe Aldcroft, involved in the last World Cup final, said it was important not to make Saturday's match "bigger than it already is".

"We have been working on this now for three years and it is our time now, we really feel like that," the flanker added.

'ENGLAND EASY TO PLAY, HARD TO BEAT'

But if England, for all their forward strength, the attacking skills of full-back Ellie Kildunne, the world player of the year and a two-try heroine against France, make the same handling errors against Canada as they did in the semifinal, the Maple Leafs could yet spoil the party.

Canada, who have several players at PWR clubs, including skipper Alex Tessier, are also unchanged following a superb 34-19 semifinal win over New Zealand that showcased their fast-paced handling game and fierce defence.

But they know England represent a different challenge.

"The Roses, because they are a highly structured team, it's easy to play against them, hard to beat them," said Canada's most-capped player, Tyson Beukeboom.

"We know how to play against them, we just have to do it...They are an incredibly difficult team to play against, they have an aura about them that has been almost untouched in the last 10 years.

"Our goal is to burst it."

Canada kept up their consistent team selection on Thursday by picking the same starting lineup and reserves for a third successive game as they prepare to take on hosts England in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

The match day squad includes openside flanker Karen Paquin, who competed in Canada’s only previous final appearance, when England beat them 21-9 in Paris in 2014.

Lock Tyson Beukeboom, who will be among the replacements on Saturday, was also on the bench for the final 11 years ago but did not come on.

"It's fuel in terms of pride," said Paquin about the possibility of revenge at a sold-out Twickenham.

"I know that the people from that (2014) team are all behind us big time. We hear it, we feel it. But we're focused on what's happening here. It's a different team, a different coach (Kevin Rouet). Everything's different," she told reporters.

Canada will be looking to repeat their stunning semi-final success over holders New Zealand in Bristol last weekend, where they stormed into an early lead before securing a 34-19 triumph.

They came through that encounter without any injuries and enhanced reputations for all of their key players, with lock Sophie de Goede earlier this week nominated as a finalist for World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year.

"So far so good, a good week of prep,” added Rouet. “Similar to last week and the week before, I like the energy of the group, so it's good."

England have also named an unchanged 23 for the final on Saturday when they will seek to win the trophy for the third time in front of an 82,000 crowd.

TEAM: 15-Julia Schell, 14-Alysha Corrigan, 13-Florence Symonds, 12-Alexandra Tessier, 11-Asia Hogan-Rochester, 10-Taylor Perry, 9-Justine Pelletier, 8-Fabiola Forteza, 7-Karen Paquin, 6-Caroline Crossley, 5-Courtney O'Donnell, 4-Sophie de Goede, 3-Daleaka Menin, 2-Emily Tuttosi, 1-McKinley Hunt

Replacements: 16-Gillian Boag, 17-Brittany Kassil, 18-Olivia Demerchant, 19-Tyson Beukeboom, 20-Laetitia Royer, 21-Gabrielle Senft, 22-Olivia Apps, 23-Shoshanah Seumenutafa

New Zealand rising star Jorja Miller has been recalled for Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup third-placed play-off with France after she missed last week's semi-final loss to Canada.

Injury sidelined the 21-year-old flanker as the defending champions fell 34-19 to an inspired Canada side in Bristol.

It was the Black Ferns' first defeat at a World Cup since 2014.

Miller will be joined in the back row at Twickenham by Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Kaipo Olsen-Baker after a week in which she was nominated for World Rugby's player of the year and breakthrough player of the year awards.

New Zealand teenage wing Braxton Sorensen-McGee has also been nominated for the breakthrough award.

Laura Bayfield returns in the second row, with an unchanged backline meaning Portia Woodman-Wickliffe could be playing her final Test.

"We've been gifted another opportunity to turn things around for our nation and I know the team will do everything they can to finish this campaign strongly," said New Zealand coach Allan Bunting.

"The team have connected well this week, and we are determined to put out a performance that we're proud of."

France have made three changes to the XV that started their 35-17 defeat by England -- Les Bleues' ninth defeat in as many World Cup semi-finals.

Emilie Boulard is at full-back in place of Morgane Bourgeois and the fit-again Joanna Grisez returns on the right wing.

England captain Zoe Aldcroft believes it is "our time now" as her side bid to end more than a decade of Women's Rugby World Cup heartache in Saturday's final against Canada.

The Red Roses have long been the dominant force in the women's game, with the semifinal win over France their 62nd victory in 63 matches.

But for all that success, they haven't won the World Cup since beating Canada in the 2014 final, with England runners-up to New Zealand in five of the last six editions.

Nevertheless blindside flanker Aldcroft, a member of the England side that suffered an agonising 34-31 loss to New Zealand in the 2022 final in Auckland, told reporters on Thursday: "We have been working on this now for three years and it is our time now, we really feel like that."

A World Cup that has already achieved attendance records is poised for another, with Aldcroft set to lead the Red Roses out in front of a capacity crowd of around 82 000 at Twickenham, a new high water-mark for a women's 15-a-side rugby match.

But England coach John Mitchell, who has named an unchanged team for the final in London, said: "You've got to try not to make it any bigger than it is."

Mitchell, who joined the England women's set-up after the 2022 final, added: "The thing is we started back in Chester in 2023 and now we have the opportunity to finish something."

'AWESOME'

But standing in top-ranked England's way are world No 2 Canada, arguably the team of the tournament so far, with their superb 34-19 semifinal win over New Zealand ensuring the Black Ferns lost a World Cup match for the first time in 11 years.

"They have been outstanding and played really great rugby, we respect them hugely," said Mitchell, who has guided England to a record 32 successive wins.

"This is where it really matters. This is where I've got to find a solution and sell a solution to the girls to beat Canada. To me that's the awesome part of the job."

In naming an unchanged side, Mitchell has deployed six-try wing Jess Breach and World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year nominee Megan Jones in the starting XV for every match of the tournament.

Ellie Kildunne continues at full-back after earning player-of-the-match with two tries on her return from concussion in the semifinal win over France.

England coach John Mitchell has named an unchanged 23 for the Women’s Rugby World Cup final against Canada on Saturday when they will seek to win the trophy for the third time in front of an 82 000 sellout at Twickenham.

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominee Megan Jones and six-try winger Jess Breach will have played in the starting XV for every match of the tournament.

Ellie Kildunne continues at fullback after earning player-of-the-match on her return to the team with two tries in the semifinal victory over France, while Abby Dow completes the back three on the right wing.

Tatyana Heard lines up at inside centre with Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison partnering in the half-back positions. Captain Zoe Aldcroft takes to the field from blindside flanker accompanied in the back row by 2014 winner Alex Matthews and the tournament’s top tackler, Sadia Kabeya (89).

Lock Morwenna Talling, who is second on England’s tackle stats (67), partners No 1 line-out stealer Abbie Ward in the second row.

Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman made three turnovers against France and remains in the front row alongside hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead prop Maud Muir.

"Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium in front of a record 82 000 is a significant milestone for the sport," Mitchell said.

"We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is No 1 versus No 2 in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively."

London calling 📞🌹

John Mitchell has named his #RedRoses team to face Canada in the #RWC2025 final this Saturday at @allianz_stad.#WearTheRose

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) September 25, 2025

England go into the game as strong favourites on a record run of 32 wins since losing the last World Cup final against New Zealand in 2022.

Canada, who beat New Zealand in their semifinal and are in the final for the second time after losing to England in 2014, will name their team later on Thursday.

ENGLAND TEAM:,/strong>

15–Ellie Kildunne, 14–Abby Dow, 13–Megan Jones, 12–Tatyana Heard, 11–Jess Breach, 10–Zoe Harrison, 9–Natasha Hunt, 8–Alex Matthews, 7–Sadia Kabeya, 6–Zoe Aldcroft, 5–Abbie Ward, 4–Morwenna Talling, 3–Maud Muir, 2–Amy Cokayne, 1–Hannah Botterman

Replacements: 16–Lark Atkin-Davies, 17–Kelsey Clifford, 18–Sarah Bern, 19–Rosie Galligan, 20–Maddie Feaunati, 21–Lucy Packer, 22–Holly Aitchison, 23–Helena Rowland

Ellie Kildunne marked her return from concussion with two tries as tournament hosts and favourites England saw off a spirited France 35-17 in their Women's Rugby World Cup semifinal in Bristol on Saturday.

But the full-back, the current World Player of the Year, had to limp through the closing 11 minutes after England had cleared their bench.

England, into their seventh final in a row – but beaten in five of the last six by New Zealand – will now face Canada in next Saturday's final in front of an already sold-out Twickenham crowd of 82 000.

England will be bidding to win the World Cup for the first time since defeating Canada in the 2014 final in Paris.

Canada, second behind England in the world rankings, ended double-defending champions New Zealand's 11-year unbeaten run at the World Cup with a superb 34-19 win in Friday's first semifinal in Bristol.

A date with destiny 🤩

Saturday 27 September
16:00
📍 Allianz Stadium, London#RWC2025 | #CANvENG | #RWC2025Final pic.twitter.com/HY5wKNHTcG

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2025

"The rest of the team do the work, it was insane," Kildunne, the player of the match, told the BBC. "I am buzzing, it is all we have been dreaming of, we will keep our heads down, we know what is coming and you're all going to be excited to watch."

'HAVE NOT WON ANYTHING'

But England prop Hannah Botterman, returning from a back spasm, warned that Canada would pose a stern challenge, saying: "They have been playing very good rugby, a different style... No celebrations (tonight) – we have not won anything."

England, unbeaten since an agonising 2022 World Cup final loss, were just 7-5 ahead at halftime after a try by Kildunne was converted by Zoe Harrison – who added the extras to all of the hosts' scores – before outside centre Nassira Konde went over for France.

But as the sun broke through at an initially rainswept Ashton Gate in southwest England, Amy Cokayne added another try for the hosts early in the second half before France wing Kelly Arbey's converted effort cut the Red Roses' lead to just two points.

Red Roses blooming 🌹

Cockayne stretches England’s advantage 😮‍💨#RWC2025 | #FRAvENG pic.twitter.com/SlsiwrEpL0

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2025

But Abbie Ward's try gave England a two score-advantage at 21-12 heading into the final quarter.

Kildunne then put the result beyond doubt 11 minutes from time with a blistering cross-field run from just inside the France half as she eluded several defenders on the way to a superb solo try.

Another dazzling try for Ellie Kildunne 🤠#RWC2025 | #FRAvENG https://t.co/4RpraSud5Y pic.twitter.com/HqtSgo38dW

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2025

Konde grabbed her second try of the match before centre Megan Jones scored England's fifth a minute from time.

Victory meant England extended their own world record to 32 consecutive wins, with this success their 17th victory in a row over France, who have now lost all nine of their Women's World Cup semifinals.

"They played much better than us in the second half," acknowledged French centre Gabrielle Vernier.

"We're very disappointed, we were waiting three years for this moment," she said, adding that "we weren't able to impose ourselves physically and mentally."

TRIED AND TESTED MAUL

Les Bleues kicked-off without the suspended pair of co-captain Manae Feleu and Axelle Berthoumieu, and the injured duo of fly-half Lina Queyroi (concussion) and Joanna Grisez (thigh), with the wing having scored the decisive try in France's thrilling 18-13 quarterfinal win over Ireland.

Kildunne opened the scoring with a typically dashing try in the fifth minute, surging past Konde before selling a huge dummy to Arbey.

France, however, dominated territory and possession for the remainder of the first half.

Their forwards laid siege to England's line, and with the defence sucked in, the ball was spun wide to Konde for a 24th-minute try that Morgane Bourgeois could not convert.

France harried England into several uncharacteristic knock-ons that could only partly be explained by a wet ball.

England returned to their tried and tested driving maul, with hooker Cokayne pushed over for a 46th-minute try.

France responded through a 52nd minute try out wide on the left from Arbey, before full-back Bourgeois landed a tough conversion.

But England, with coach John Mitchell ringing the changes, pulled further clear with second-row Ward powering over for a try just shy of the hour mark.

Harrison converted and England had breathing space at 21-12.

Kildunne's individual brilliance put the result beyond doubt before Jones wrapped up victory.

An already ground-breaking World Cup for women's rugby will feature another landmark when England's Ellie Kildunne runs out for Saturday's semifinal with France in Bristol in a pair of boots she helped design herself.

Such tie-ups have long been a staple of men's sport, with the Stan Smith Adidas shoe still going strong despite being named after the American tennis player in the 1970s.

But the sight of Kildunne, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, taking the field at Ashton Gate in her personalised Canterbury of New Zealand Speed Elite Falcon boots would have been unthinkable until a few years ago.

Yet such has been the growth of women's rugby – next week's World Cup final at Twickenham will take place before a sell-out 80 000 crowd – that companies such as Canterbury are eyeing a commercial opportunity.

"I've designed clothes with them but I've never before shown up on the stage when I've designed some boots," Kildunne told AFP in an interview

Kildunne, back in world No 1 England's side after missing last week's quarterfinal rout of Scotland with concussion, added: "I feel very proud to be part of an ambassador role inside Canterbury because they trust me in this space and I've been able to create something that has got the Ellie touch on it."

The 26-year-old full-back's career has coincided with the evolution of women's rugby from an amateur game to, in England's case at least, full professionalism and it's been a long time since Kildunne had to wear men's kit.

"It's easy to sit and reflect on the negative things that have happened, but the progress that has been made is so positive," she said.

WOMEN 'AT FOREFRONT'

Footwear, however, remains a thorny issue, both in football and rugby.

Research published by Exeter University this month found 89 per cent of female rugby players they surveyed experience pain or discomfort from the boots they're wearing.

But in deploying biomechanical testing and 3D foot scanning, they have developed the first soft-ground boot specifically for female rugby players, with the inaugural version tested during this year's Women’s Six Nations.

"For the first time, we've put the needs of female athletes at the forefront of boot design," said associate professor Sharon Dixon, adding much previous research had resulted in "designs being based on optimising performance and minimising injury risk for men".

Abby Middlebrooke, who plays for Exeter in the English Premiership and was one of the players surveyed in the study, added: "Most boots I try don't fit me and are quite uncomfortable... it definitely has a negative impact on your performance.

"Inside a female changing room we’re constantly taking out or putting in studs just to try and make a boot practical and a lot of the girls are having to see foot specialists just from running around in a way that's injuring them.”

Laura Youngson, the co-founder of soft-boot manufacturers IDA Sports, established in 2018 to provide female specific sports kit, said she hoped the Exeter findings would mean "more brands will invest in the women athletes as we have proudly done over the last seven years".

And a buoyant Kildunne insisted: "The opportunity we've got in this World Cup is to keep on pushing our messages out there.

"Women's sport is going to take over and for brands to recognise that, take the leap and jump to see where it takes them, it's only going to go one way because the game is growing at a rate that no one can keep up."

France have suffered another blow in the build-up to Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against heavily fancied England with the injury withdrawal of star winger Joanna Grisez.

She suffered a thigh injury and missed training during the week but had been included in the team to take on the hosts when it was named on Thursday in the hope she would be ready for the clash at Ashton Gate.

But France have belatedly withdrawn Grisez, who played a decisive role against Ireland in the quarter-finals, the French Rugby Federation said.

She has been replaced by Kelly Arbey with Emilie Boulard drafted onto the substitutes' bench.

France are already under strength for their clash after suspensions to captain Manae Feleu and loose forward Axelle Berthoumieu and the concussion of flyhalf Lina Queyroi.