Canada and England faced off for the coveted World Cup trophy in front of a world record-breaking attendance of 81,885 at Twickenham as the hosts looked to become champions for the first time in 11 years.

In the bronze medal match, reigning champions New Zealand challenged France in what was to become the first of two awe-inspiring matches that showcased the quality of women’s rugby unions and women’s sports around the world.

Bronze Medal Match: New Zealand vs France

France opened the scoring 10 minutes into the bronze medal match through Pauline Bourdon Sansus after some brilliant play down the right edge, but New Zealand responded only a few minutes later as co-captain Ruahei Demant dotted down underneath the posts.

Sylvia Brunt went close for the Black Ferns, but some fantastic defence from France kept the scores level; however, she got her try at the second time of asking after a penalty for foul play gave New Zealand some field position.

Renee Holmes and Laura Bayfield added two more tries in the final three minutes for New Zealand as the game started to open up for the reigning world champions.

Half-time: New Zealand 26 – 7 France

About 6 minutes into the second half, New Zealand’s Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored her first try of the match before her teammate Holmes added a penalty conversion.

France’s Deshaye thought she had scored her side’s second try of the afternoon as she stole the ball from New Zealand, but after a TMO review, the try was ruled out.

Sorensen-McGee scored her second try of the match and her 11th of the tournament as she moved past the United States' Jennifer Crawford to record the second highest number of tries scored by an individual player at a single Women’s World Cup tournament.

France picked up their tempo in the final quarter as Lea Champon, Gaby Vernier and Emilie Boulard all dotted down within 10 minutes to reduce the deficit to 13 points with around 8 minutes remaining in the match, but a successful penalty conversion from Holmes confirmed the victory for New Zealand.

Full-time: New Zealand 42 – 26 France

Final: Canada vs England

Canada opened the scoring through Asia Hogan-Rochester as they dominated possession in the opening five minutes, but a few minutes later Ellie Kildunne dotted down underneath the posts after some solo brilliance to give England the lead.

England add two more tries before the half-hour mark as they utilise their set pieces to add more points to the board through Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews before Canada’s Sophie de Goede converts a penalty to reduce the deficit to 13.

England’s Cokayne thought she had gone over for her second of the match with just under four minutes remaining, but after a TMO review the try was ruled out.

Half-time: Canada 8 – 21 England

England’s Abbie Ward opened the scoring in the second half with 10 minutes gone as the home side’s dominance paid off, but only a few minutes later they went down to 14 players as Hannah Botterman was sent to the sin bin.

Canada used their player advantage just a minute later as Hogan-Rochester crossed over for her second of the afternoon, but some brilliant English defence kept Canada at a 13-point deficit.

Matthews powered over for her second try of the match with just over 10 minutes remaining to seal the win for the Red Roses.

Full-time: Canada 13–33 England