On the eve of the final, Ugo Monye’s verdict on the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is in.
“I’ve always had high expectations, whether it be men’s or the women’s game, World Cups always tend to deliver, but it’s been incredible,” Monye, the former British and Irish Lion who has been working as a presenter for the BBC throughout, said. “There’s a number of words I can use to describe it; it’s been so celebratory, it’s been joyous, it’s been so fun.
“It’s been quite clearly record-breaking in attendance and the viewing figures, the numbers, and then in what we’ve seen in the quality on the pitch as well.”
This final point has been critical, according to the man who won 14 caps for England and two for the Lions. The almost half-a-million tickets have been bought because people like “the phenomenal quality” of what’s on the pitch, as well as what’s going on off it. Together, it is making women’s rugby irresistible.
“It’s amazing the way in which these women are able to connect with their audiences. They’re so relatable to so many people,” Monye said. “The connectivity that the players show with the fans. You see how long they spend after the match, getting around and taking selfies, taking photos, signing autographs, giving away merchandise and everything in between. That connectivity has been very clear, for everyone
to see.”
It seems the game is caught in a gloriously virtuous circle.
“It’s just not corporate,” Monye stressed. “It’s definitely a bit more family friendly, we’ve seen that everywhere we’ve been, not just in the stadiums. We’ve seen that socially in the pubs and at the watch parties as well. It’s definitely had a younger demographic and most definitely a family feel to it… for lots of different reasons. One because mums and dads want to be able to share it with their kids and because it’s been more affordable.”
Monye, a dad of two girls, knows all this through personal experience.
“They’ve loved it, they’ve watched it on the telly and now I’m taking them to the final on Saturday, which I’m so excited about,” said the presenter. “Obviously, so cool to work on it but then to be able to take my girls and put down the microphone, pick up my girls, and be able to invest myself in it and watch it with them, that’s a wicked moment.
“We’ve not hosted it for 15 years, and this is a moment that I just couldn’t miss with my girls. Phoenix, my eldest daughter, who’s eight, if I was to wait another 15 years, she might be more interested in going to the closing party in Ibiza than coming to a rugby match with me.”
The Canada v England final has the Monye seal of approval.
“Canada are so consistently brilliant, but I also think it speaks into the narrative of lots of people who follow rugby, but maybe don’t follow the women’s game fully, just understanding how brilliant Canada are,” the 42-year-old said.
“And having yet the two best teams on the planet going head-to-head is is mega. And the reality is, you could ask 10 people who you think is going to win, and it’ll be split 50:50 at this point.”
Now, all that is left is to ensure the game builds on this perfect platform.
“It’s for everyone that showed their support, the 100,000s buying tickets, and millions of people that watched it on TV, get your young boys, young girls to a grassroots rugby club on a Sunday. Go do that 100 per cent but also support and watch the PWR.
“We’ve got the best domestic competition in the world, here in England, and we’ve got so many of the stars that have been a part of this World Cup that have been playing in the PWR.
“The sky’s the limit.”