England Must Stay True to Their Style Ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup Final: Lessons from 1991

Published: 22 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

As the Women’s Rugby World Cup final approaches this Saturday at the Allianz Stadium, the spotlight turns firmly onto England’s Red Roses, a team carrying the hopes of a nation eager for World Cup glory. For many, including those intimately connected with English women’s rugby for decades, this moment evokes memories of the past, particularly the heartbreak of 1991, when England reached the final against Australia only to fall short in a contest that has lingered in memory for more than thirty years.

For those like myself, who were involved with England’s forwards in 1991, the upcoming final is both a privilege and a poignant reminder of the challenges that accompany playing on the world stage. That year marked the humble beginnings of women’s rugby in England, a time when only a handful of pioneering women laid the foundations for the professional and globally recognised game we see today. To witness a sold-out stadium with 82,000 spectators is a testament to the progress made since those early days. Yet, the emotional weight of history serves as a cautionary tale for the current squad: the temptation to stray from the team’s core strengths in pursuit of spectacle or external validation can be perilous.

England’s team faces unprecedented pressure ahead of the final, a challenge compounded by the global nature of modern media coverage and the relentless scrutiny of digital platforms. The Red Roses are pre-tournament favourites, reflecting years of planning, investment, and professionalisation of the women’s game through the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), a league that has elevated the sport and prepared athletes for elite competition. But being favourites comes with its own burden: every error is magnified, every tactical decision analysed, and every opponent motivated to upset the established hierarchy.

Their opponents, Canada, represent a formidable challenge. The Canadian team’s journey to the final has been extraordinary, requiring crowdfunding efforts amounting to 1 million Canadian dollars (£538,000) to support their campaign. This resourcefulness and determination have galvanised the global rugby community, ensuring that the final will not merely be a contest of skill, but a showcase of dedication, resilience, and strategic acumen. Neutral fans, often inclined to cheer against England, add another layer of psychological complexity to the encounter, increasing the need for England to maintain focus, discipline, and adherence to their natural style.

The impact of a potential England victory transcends the immediate outcome of the final. A win would inspire a new generation of girls and women to participate in rugby, continuing the transformative influence seen in football through the Lionesses. Furthermore, triumph would validate the Rugby Football Union’s investment in professional women’s rugby, demonstrating that long-term planning, financial support, and structural development can yield success on the global stage. England’s Red Roses, therefore, carry a dual responsibility: to compete at the highest level and to serve as role models whose performance will shape the sport’s future for decades.

Despite England’s strengths, their performances leading up to the final have been somewhat uneven. While scoreboard results indicate high-scoring outcomes, the team has displayed vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a well-prepared opponent. In particular, ball-carriers who penetrate near the edges of the breakdown have caused difficulties, an area where Canada’s scrum-half, Justine Pelletier, has excelled with her incisive and sniping runs. England will need to tighten their defence, manage restarts more effectively, and ensure that support players react promptly to breakdown situations. Penalty discipline will be crucial, as errors in these areas can shift momentum in high-stakes matches.

Importantly, England must resist external pressures to alter their style for the sake of entertainment. There is often a misplaced assumption that thrilling, high-risk rugby is inherently superior to methodical, forward-oriented play. England’s 20-metre driving maul try against France exemplifies the power, skill, and strategic intelligence required to score through structured, disciplined rugby. Such tries, though less flamboyant than dramatic solo runs, demand precision, resilience, and seamless teamwork. In high-pressure finals, these qualities are often more decisive than aesthetic considerations.

The lesson from 1991 remains particularly pertinent. In that final against Australia, England deviated from their established style, embracing a game plan that prioritised spectacle over strategic coherence. The result was a loss that lingered for decades, a reminder that winning, rather than entertaining, must always remain the ultimate goal. The disappointment of 1991 was not mitigated by the match’s perceived entertainment value; the scoreboard reflected defeat, and that reality shaped the memories of players, coaches, and supporters alike.

Current England players have the benefit of professional structures, scientific support, and tactical sophistication unavailable to their predecessors. Yet, the psychological pressures remain similar: the expectations of a nation, the glare of media scrutiny, and the heightened stakes of a World Cup final. Head coach John Mitchell and his squad must harness these pressures constructively, ensuring that every decision reinforces the team’s core strengths rather than succumbing to the allure of external approval or stylistic experimentation.

Beyond the pitch, the broader context of women’s rugby highlights the stakes involved. Investment in domestic leagues, grassroots development, and international exposure has expanded opportunities for players to perform at elite levels. Yet, this progress also intensifies scrutiny: performances are measured not only by victory but by perceived aesthetics, creativity, and alignment with modern rugby trends. England’s Red Roses must therefore navigate a delicate balance, combining tactical discipline, resilience, and execution while remaining true to the principles that have consistently brought them success.

England’s path to the final has demonstrated both the potency and the risks inherent in their approach. While the team has the ability to score prolifically and dominate possession, lapses in defensive organisation and minor errors at key moments have highlighted vulnerabilities. The Canada team’s strategic adaptability, physicality, and determination will test England’s ability to maintain composure, assert dominance, and execute a game plan effectively under sustained pressure.

As the final approaches, the key message for England is clear: maintain the team’s identity. Altering style for the sake of entertainment, external expectations, or superficial comparisons risks undermining everything the squad has achieved. Rugby, at its highest level, rewards discipline, consistency, and tactical intelligence—qualities that have underpinned England’s successes and must remain central to their approach.

Ultimately, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final is not merely a contest of athletic skill, but a culmination of decades of dedication, professionalisation, and strategic development. England’s Red Roses have the opportunity to cement their legacy, inspire future generations, and demonstrate that adherence to core principles—rather than the pursuit of spectacle—remains the path to championship glory. Reflecting on past lessons from 1991, the imperative is clear: win, execute, and honour the team’s identity above all else.

The Allianz Stadium will bear witness to this pivotal encounter, where strategy, skill, and mental fortitude converge. For England, the message is simple yet profound: stay true to your strengths, respect the lessons of history, and play the rugby that has brought you to this defining moment. Victory, after all, belongs to those who remain faithful to their principles when it matters most.