The key battles where the 2025 Rugby World Cup final will be decided

Twenty four PWR stars will line up against each other when the whistle goes for the World Cup final. 

Fourteen of England’s starters ply their trade in the Premiership Women’s Rugby, with eight of Canada’s starting XV calling the league home. 

Take a look at four key battles for this afternoon’s final: 

Julia Schell v Ellie Kildunne 

The possessor of the quickest hat-trick in World Cup history against one of the game’s superstars. 

Trailfinders' Julia Schell set the tournament alight in the opening match with six tries against Fiji but has failed to score again despite playing every minute of their five games. 

Harlequins star Kildunne has missed two games of England’s campaign, but her tournament has been bookended by two tries in her first and last games. 

She has the ability to change a game in a moment, while Schell is able to masterfully control her side’s attacking tempo. 

The audacity! 🫢

Ellie Kildunne opens the scoring for England to give them the advantage in their World Cup semi-final 🙌#PWR #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/5OQFg87NGK

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) September 20, 2025

Taylor Perry v Zoe Harrison 

Taylor Perry has quietly had one of the best campaigns at fly-half, making a difference in attack and defence. 

Her 42 tackles are more than double Saracens’ Zoe Harrison, who has made 19, but the Canadian has played almost two hours more rugby in the tournament. 

The Chiefs player has not had the same points contribution as Harrison, with just one try to her name, while Harrison has kicked 17 conversions and will need to be razor sharp in a game set to be decided on fine margins. 

A debut Women's Rugby World Cup try for Taylor Perry 🫶@ExeChiefsWomen | #PWR | #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/49JzYm4mdw

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) August 30, 2025

Sophie de Goede v Morwenna Talling 

It might be cruel to compare anyone to Sophie de Goede, but Morwenna Talling has the inauspicious honour of lining up opposite her. 

The Sale Sharks lock has become a sure pick for England in her first World Cup campaign, while De Goede has shown she really can excel in any position she is put in. 

The Saracens stalwart is second in the points standings with 58, including three tries and 20 conversions. 

Having played fewer minutes, Talling has put in 67 tackles to De Goede’s 70, but it is their passes where they really separate, with Talling having made seven to the Canadian’s 58. 

It is as much a reflection of the two sides' different playing styles, with Talling more required to shut attacks down while De Goede is pivotal in creating them. 

Emily Tuttosi v Amy Cokayne 

Emily Tuttosi has to come up against Amy Cokayne, who scored a hat-trick in a losing cause in the last World Cup final. 

Sale Sharks’ Cokayne has contributed three tries so far this campaign, but it is her ability from a lineout that will be crucial. 

With Cokayne off the pitch, a wayward lineout throw in the dying seconds cost England World Cup glory three years ago, but it could be the key for their success this time if the Red Roses chose to use their forwards in attack. 

Exeter Chiefs’ Tuttosi is out to show that Canada can go toe-to-toe with England’s pack and was particularly impressive in their win over Scotland, as she scored twice.