Royals lead congratulations for England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup champions

Congratulations are pouring in, led by the Prince and Princess of Wales, for England’s Red Roses who have won the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

They crushed Canada 33-13 in a dominant display, watched by a record 81,885 people who filled a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.

In a message on their official Kensington Palace social media account, the Prince and Princess wrote: “Congratulations to @RedRosesRugby, the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions! Well done to Canada – you had an outstanding tournament. Both teams should be so proud!”

The Red Roses scored five tries to help clinch the title.

Ellie Kildunne scored a wonder try with a thrilling solo score in the ninth minute, but it was the magnificent Red Roses pack that made victory possible.

Four of England’s five tries were supplied by the forwards, including two for number eight Alex Matthews, and there was the familiar sight of their scrum and maul grinding the opposition into submission.

England boss John Mitchell also celebrated being named coach of the year.

Abbie Ward, who grabbed the first try of the second half, said: “This is a new chapter for women’s rugby. It wasn’t about righting wrongs, it was about showing what this team could do. It didn’t matter what had happened in the past this team was special.”

England’s Lionesses who beat Spain on penalties in July to win back-to-back Uefa Women’s Euros titles, also congratulated them with an online message saying: “Champions of the world and a true inspiration!

“You’re all incredible, @RedRosesRugby!”

Lioness skipper Leah Williamson described it as “unbelievable, so happy for everyone” beneath a photograph of the jubilant championship-winning squad in her Instagram stories, while England football captain Harry Kane hailed it as an “incredible achievement”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also sent his congratulations, saying: “You have shown the very best of England and inspired a generation.”

He exchanged rugby jerseys on Friday as excitement for the showdown grew, with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney when they met for bilateral talks at the Global Progress Action summit.

Mr Carney posted an message of support for the defeated Canadian squad saying: “On behalf of a proud nation, massive congratulations to Team Canada for an incredible run in the Rugby World Cup.”

Oscar winner Russell Crowe posted online: “Got to hand it to England Women’s Rugby team.

“Solid, dominant and as it turns out, unbeatable on the day. Big game players every one of them.

“Bad luck Canada. You can hold your heads high. Remarkable run.”

The Red Roses were ranked number one in the world having won 32 games on the trot.

Canada had impressed during the tournament.

The Maple Leafs are semi-professional and had to crowdfund nearly a third of the budget for their World Cup campaign.

England will celebrate their triumph with fans at a Champions Party at London’s Battersea Power Station on Sunday.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney spoke of his pride at the “historic win”, saying that doing it at “the home of England Rugby, makes this victory even more rewarding”.

He added: “Our congratulations go to the entire playing squad and management team on this monumental achievement.

“We can’t thank fans, across the country, enough for their support of the Red Roses during the tournament – it’s been phenomenal.”

Culture Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy said the team had triumphed through “incredible talent, relentless determination and inspirational teamwork to become an unstoppable force”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it an “incredible performance”, and “a proud moment for English rugby and for our country”.