Zoe Aldcroft: World Cup success for England can herald change in women's rugby
It marked a significant stride forward from the attendances of between 10,000 and 15,000 the team had typically drawn at previous editions when playing at smaller club-rugby grounds, and the skipper believes that another watershed moment awaits.
Ready to represent.
Your #RedRoses for #RWC2025! 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025
John Mitchell's side open their home tournament on August 22 against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light as they look to win back the trophy they last lifted in 2017 and to put to bed memories of the agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand four years ago that kept them from retaining the title.
Aldcroft, who was appointed captain in January and is amongst the 32 players named in Mitchell's World Cup squad on Thursday, also thinks the example of England's women footballers in being crowned European champions on home soil three years ago proves the scale of the transformation possible if the team can become world champions at the Allianz Stadium on September 27.
The tournament promises to offer a stark contrast to when the 28-year-old made her international debut in 2020.
'It was out in America and it was boiling hot,' said Aldcroft. 'There were no stands so people were just stood on the side of the pitch, I think there must have been about 30 people, if that.
'One of the most special games (for England) was the France game a couple of years ago. That was a moment when it felt like a real change in women's rugby.
'I think what the Lionesses are doing has been incredible, that you can see the country getting behind them. That's something that we want to achieve and build the momentum.
'Hopefully going into this tournament we'll be able to create that momentum and we'll get a packed out stadium here at Twickenham. That would be unbelievable. The same feelings would apply again about a change in women's rugby that is to come.'
There were few surprises in Mitchell's squad with centre Emily Scarratt set to play a record fifth World Cup whilst scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who was a surprise omission when the team finished as runners-up four years ago, is also in.
Current World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne has also been named and she too anticipated a potentially pivotal moment in the growth of the women's game.
'I feel like it's been feeling big for the past three years,' said Kildunne. 'Since the last World Cup it's almost been everything that people have been talking about.
'It's not that I'm bored or people talking about it, I just actually want to play to show people everting that's been spoken of.
'We don't know what to expect, we're only focussing on ourselves and how we're playing, but the journey we're going to be on in the next few months, to see the rise and the crowds coming in, how much social media starts talking about women's rugby for the first time. That's something to be really excited about.
'It's not necessarily something that we're really focused on, but we're prepared for what's to come without knowing what that is.'
After the tournament opener on Wearside, England move on to face Samoa in Northampton before concluding the group stage against Australia in Brighton.
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South Wales Argus
16 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Celebrations in store as Lionesses successfully defend European crown
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The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ichiro Suzuki Hall of Fame speech highlight of weekend in Cooperstown
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Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Sarina Wiegman to keep on dancing after ‘chaotic and ridiculous' Euro 2025 win
Substitute Chloe Kelly, whose extra-time winner at Wembley secured the Lionesses their first major trophy three summers ago, was once again the hero, coolly converting in the shootout with the World Cup holders following a 1-1 extra-time stalemate. Wiegman has now led teams – first the Netherlands, now England – to the trophy at the last three European Championships, though none, admitted the Dutchwoman, was more 'chaotic' and 'ridiculous' as this. 'I'm very happy,' said Wiegman. 'I actually can't believe it myself. It was like, 'how can it happen?' but it happened. I am so incredibly proud of the team and the staff.' Wiegman was spotted busting a move after Kelly once again rose to the highest occasion, and plans to keep letting loose – perhaps to the chagrin of her phone, which twice reminded the England boss during her post-match press conference that she was due a workout. 'I'll do some more dancing,' said Wiegman. 'And I'll have a drink, but I don't think I will drink as much as the players.' Though the Lionesses insisted they had moved on, Sunday's triumph also avenged the 2023 World Cup final, where England were beaten by Spain 1-0 in Sydney in their first global showpiece final. Spain were first-time finalists in this competition but the favourites, and came one step closer to the title when Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey nodded home a 25th-minute opener. But Kelly teed up Russo for a header of her own and 57th-minute equaliser, while two spectacular saves by Hannah Hampton in the shootout opened the door for Kelly to write more history as the Lionesses became the first senior English football team to lift a major trophy on foreign soil. England's Chloe Kelly celebrates with the trophy (Nick Potts/PA) 'I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played,' Wiegman added. 'Every time we could come back, in the quarter-final and the semi-final and the final, we came from behind. Of course we have players that have talents, and the togetherness of this team is really, really incredible, but also the belief that we can come back. 'The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up.' England's title defence was hanging by a thread following their 2-1 opening defeat to France, but group stage victories over the Netherlands then Wales kept their title defence alive. Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored late in their Sweden quarter-final, ultimately setting up a chaotic, error-strewn shootout, won by Bronze with England's seventh try. It took Kelly's extra-time winner from off the bench in their Italy semi-final to book their place in the Spain showdown – after 19-year-old standout Michelle Agyemang had netted another incredible equaliser. England manager Sarina Wiegman collects her medal (Peter Byrne/PA) Even before her heroics in Basel, Kelly, at these Euros, had come in with the joint-most chances created (eight) and most successful crosses (10) of any substitute in a single tournament since Opta started analysing major women's tournaments in 2011. And while Wiegman conceded there had been moments in this campaign – and particularly the Sweden and Italy matches – Sunday's comeback was never in doubt. Asked if there was a moment her belief had wavered, Wiegman replied: 'To be honest, tonight, I didn't.'
