Canada, England face off in heavyweight final at Women's Rugby World Cup

Canada puts its fast-paced, physical brand of rugby up against a well-oiled winning machine in England's Red Roses on Saturday in the Women's Rugby World Cup final.

It should make for a grand spectacle at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium before a sellout crowd of 82,000, a record for a women's rugby test match.

"We're excited to play England," said 38-year-old Canada coach Kevin Rouet, a leading candidate for World Rugby's coach of the year award. "I think it was expected that if we wanted to win the World Cup, England would be on the way."

"They've been outstanding, played really great rugby. We respect them hugely," said England coach John Mitchell, a 61-year-old New Zealander who led the All Blacks to third place at the 2003 World Cup (thumping the Canadian men 68-6 on the way).

"They deserve to be in the final," he added.

England, ranked No. 1 in the world, goes into the final on a 32-match winning streak, having won 62 of their last 63 tests. The lone blemish on that record was a 34-31 defeat at the hands of host New Zealand in the final of the last World Cup in November 2022 (the tournament was originally slated to be played in 2021 but was delayed due to the pandemic).

WATCH | Canada books place in Women's Rugby World Cup final against England:

Canada heading to Women's Rugby World Cup final | Hanomansing Tonight

No. 2 Canada, which dispatched the six-time champion New Zealand Black Ferns 34-19 in the semifinal, is unbeaten in 12 matches (11-0-1) since a 21-12 loss to England at the WXV 1 tournament last October in Vancouver. The Canadians led 12-7 in the second half that day, only to concede two late tries.

Ladbroke's had England as the 4/11 favourite to win Saturday, meaning a $100 bet would return $136.36. The