ENGLAND won the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1994, as they beat Canada 21-9 in Paris.

Emma Croker, wife of the former Basingstoke RFC director of rugby, James Croker, came on for the final 11 minutes of the victory.

England beaten finalists in the last three World Cups took an 11-0 lead in the first-half, after Emily Scarratt kicked two penalties and Danielle Waterman scored a try.

Canada drew 13-13 with England in the Pool stage fought their way back, as Magali Harvey kicked three penalties to make it 11-9.

On the hour mark, England’s Scarratt kicked another penalty and then the same player went over for a try and kicked the conversion to make sure of the victory.