Star Metro - World Rugby unfazed over England dominance of women's game

England's 33-13 victory at Twickenham on Saturday means they have not lost since a 34-31 defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in Auckland.

The tournament hosts won every match by a comfortable margin -- their closest contest was a 35-17 semi-final win over France.

England's dominance has raised questions about the competitiveness of the women's game, with a mix of of professional, semi-professional and even amateur teams at the 16-team tournament.

But Sally Horrox, World Rugby's chief of women's rugby, said she was relaxed about England's power.

"I wouldn't describe it as a concern," she said.

"I'm delighted that they've realised their potential and are showing us what great athletes they have and what a great team they absolutely are.

"When we look at all the performance metrics and all the work that's going on in those teams, not just the four we saw in the semi-finals but right across the 16, there is demonstrable proof that the game is progressing at a rapid pace."

Yvonne Nolan, the competition director, highlighted an average of 9.2 tries per match and a goal-kicking success rate of 61 percent, an increase of 10 percent on the 2022 edition, as proof of rising standards.

She also cited the rise of first-time quarter-finalists South Africa as further evidence of an increasingly competitive international set-up.

"The stats tell the story," she said. "There's a gap in places but in other places the teams are very close. But they're all gaining ground."

Nolan, a former Ireland international, added: "Looking at the product it's better than it's ever been and that trajectory is going to continue.

"By next time (the 2029 Women's World Cup in Australia), we are going to see teams who have been released. Look at what South Africa have done, look at how far Fiji have come. We saw Brazil burst on the scene.

"Those teams will continue to grow because they won't be willing to be left behind."

Nearly 82,000 fans packed into Twickenham for the final -- a new record for a women's international -- while the total number of tickets sold, 444,465, also a new high.

P.Beaulieu--SMC