ENGLAND and Drybrook RFC’s Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt are Women’s Rugby World Cup champions once again, after a stunning 33–13 victory over Canada at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scrum-half Hunt and Alex Matthews were the only surviving players from the 2014 success when England last lifted the trophy.

And the Gloucester-Hartpury 36-year-old played a starring role, her sharp distribution and clever decision-making keeping England moving, and providing a neat offload that sent Matthews over for her first try.

Few players epitomise the link between club and country better than Hunt, whose energy and leadership have made her a key figure at both levels.

A record-breaking 81,885 crowd roared Hunt and her Red Roses team-mates to glory at the end of a memorable month of competition.

And the former Dene Magna, Mitcheldean, student said: “This is unimaginable – the day, the whole tournament. To walk out in front of nearly 82,000 and perform like that, I could not be prouder of the girls. I am so overwhelmed, I am absolutely buzzing.

“I don’t think any of us could have imagined it would ever be like this and that is testament to everyone behind the scenes, and also everyone for showing up and hopefully they are here to stay.”

No less than 10 Hartpury alumni featured in the 23-player squad for the final, including Hunt, skipper Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Alex Matthews, Holly Aitchison and Ellie Kildunne, plus Meg Jones, Zoe Harrison and Amy Cockayne, while Tatyana Heard also plays for Gloucester-Hartpury.

Aldcroft, who began her rugby journey at nearby Minchinhampton before becoming a mainstay at Gloucester-Hartpury, was a towering presence.

She became the first Gloucester-Hartpury player to lift the World Cup as captain, a proud moment for the club and the Forest of Dean region it represents.

Joining her in the pack was Matthews, who produced a barnstorming performance on the biggest stage.

The No 8 crossed for two tries, including the score that sealed victory in the closing stages, with her relentless carrying and physical presence proving too much for the Canadian defence.

Inside centre Heard added balance and composure in midfield, giving England the steady platform they needed to unleash their attacking threats.

Her strong tackling and intelligent positioning helped keep Canada’s backline in check, while young prop Maud Muir was part of the England front row that turned the screw at scrum time.

Canada’s captain Alex Tessier admitted afterwards that her side “didn’t quite know what to do” when the set-piece battle began to go against them, and Muir was central to that dominance.

It was a performance full of power and precision from England. Canada struck first through winger Asia Hogan-Rochester, but the response was emphatic.

Full-back Kildunne produced a brilliant solo try before hooker Cokayne finished a driving maul.

Then Hunt and Matthews combined, and by half-time England were 21–8 up and in control.

Aldcroft’s pack continued to dominate after the break, with Abbie Ward crashing over before Canada briefly rallied.

But Matthews powered through again late on to seal England’s 33–13 win and a third world crown.