Rugby World Cup 2021 Final: how to watch, UK start time and team News

On Saturday 12 November, the Rugby World Cup 2021 final takes place in New Zealand. Here’s everything you need to know about the match, including the UK start time, how to watch and team news.

This weekend is the big one – the anticipated Rugby World Cup 2021 final in New Zealand. The match sees the host nation going head-to-head with England at Auckland’s Eden Park, for what is sure to be a scintillating match.

The game will see England’s Red Roses hoping to extend their 30-match winning streak and claim their third Rugby World Cup title. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Black Ferns will be gunning for their sixth championship win. 

Simon Middleton weighs in on the match

As reported by iNews, England coach Simon Middleton said, “There can be no bigger challenge in sport than to play the world champions in their own backyard in front of a sell-out crowd – 99.9 per cent of which will be forming part of the opposition,”

“Great teams don’t fear those challenges, they embrace them, and meet them head-on, that’s what we intend to do.

“I think it will be more intimidating for them. To lose in front of a home crowd would be a tough gig.”

Rugby World Cup 2021 final UK start time

Wipe the sleep from your eyes Women’s Rugby Union fans because to catch this history-making match, you will have to be up early!

As England v New Zealand takes place in Auckland, there’s a major time difference between the tournament’s final and the UK. Therefore, we suggest grabbing your coffee cup and filling it to the brim.

UK viewers can tune into the Rugby World Cup 2021 final from 6:00 am GMT on Saturday 12 November.  Kick-off time sits at 6:30 am GMT.

But, for those who have tuned into the tournament previously, this is considered to be a bit of a lie-in. So peaks and troughs, right?

Rugby World Cup 2021 final channel

Throughout the tournament, ITV has been the place to go to get your Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 fix. The final is no different, with pre-match buildup beginning at 6:00 am via ITV.

You will also be able to watch England v New Zealand on ITV Hub, as long as you sign up for a free account! 

what time to watch the Rugby World Cup Final 2021 on ITV
Image credit: ITV

Red Roses team for the final

Ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup 2021 final, Middleton has already released his England team. Interestingly, there are some changes to the starting backline. 

Ellie Kildunne comes into the starting XV in place of Helena Rowland, whose world cup dreams have unfortunately ended in injury. Hannah Botterman will also miss the game, due to suffering a knee injury during training. 

Holly Aitchison and Lydia Thompson also join the starting line-up. They will play alongside captain Sarah Hunter and Vice Captain Emily Scarratt.

Elsewhere, the starting XV consists of Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante, Vickii Cornborough and also Amy Cokayne. Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer also start.

On the bench for England sits Tatyana Heard, Lark Davies, Maud Muir and Shaunagh Brown, alongside Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Claudia MacDonald and Sadia Kabeya. 

According to Sky Sports, Captain Hunter said that in the team, “there’s that real sense of wanting to be together and about what this group want to go and do on Saturday, and just go in and play without fear.

“There’s things in life you don’t get to do very often, and very few people get to do, and that’s to play in a World Cup final,” she continued. “For people just to be themselves and to enjoy it – if you don’t enjoy playing in the biggest occasions then you’re in the wrong place.”

Black Ferns team for the final

Playing at home in Eden Park, the Black Ferns deviate only slightly from their lineup against France last weekend. 

According to 1News, coming in as Liana Mikaele-Tu’u’s replacement is loose forward Charmaine McMenamin. She is the only change to the Black Ferns squad.

Therefore, New Zealand starting XV will consist of Philipa Love, Georgia Ponsoby, Amy Rule, Maiakawanakaukani Roos, Chelsea Bremner and Sarah Hirini. 

Elsewhere in the lineup is McMenamin and co-captain Ruahei Demant, alongside Kendra Cocksedge, Portia Woodman, Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Ruby Tui and Renee Holmes.

New Zealand’s reserves for the Rugby World Cup final are Luka Connor Krystal Murray, Santo Taumata, Joanah Ngan-Woo and Hazel Tubic. 

Also sitting on the bench are Ariana Bayler, Hazel Tubic, Ayesha Leti-I’iga and co-captain Kennedy Simon. 

Who is refereeing the Women’s Rugby World Cup final?

On refereeing duties for the Rugby World Cup 2021 final is Hollie Davidson. The Scottish official will mediate the final between England v New Zealand on Saturday November 12.

According to The Scotsman, this makes her the second Scottish official to ever control a Women’s World Cup final. The first being Jim Fleming in 1994.

Aimee Barrett-Theron from South Africa and also Aurelie Groizeleau from France have reportedly been appointed as Davidson’s match assistants. 

You can watch England v New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 final via ITV from 6:00 am on Saturday 12 November. 

Feature image credit: Getty images