Zoe Harrison reflects on record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup legacy after winning tournament with England on home soil - 'So many lessons learnt'
By Ben Morse
Updated 24/06/2026 at 13:40 GMT+1
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Fly-half Zoe Harrison said there were "so many lessons learnt" from England's record-breaking 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup victory on home soil after playing a key role in helping the Red Roses to their first world title in 11 years.
Harrison reflects on England World Cup victory and not letting outside noise 'creep in'
Video credit: TNT Sports
The final of the 2025 tournament - in which England beat Canada 33-13, with Harrison making four successful conversions - was played in front of a crowd of nearly 82,000 people inside Twickenham Stadium, the highest-ever attendance at a women's rugby match.
The tournament set records for attendance records throughout, leading head of World Rugby Alan Gilpin to call the competition the "greatest of all-time".
Speaking to TNT Sports after being named the England Women’s Player of the Season, Harrison reflected on an "amazing" home World Cup.
"I think that it's just incredible, that whole thing," the 28-year-old said. "There were so many lessons learnt, there were so many enjoyable moments, but it was actually just staying in the moment and just taking it all in.
"That final was incredible, having a sold-out stadium, and hopefully we take that forward into more games."
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Highlights: Saracens get the better of Exeter Chiefs in thriller to reach PWR final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Since making her senior England debut in 2017, Harrison has gone onto establish herself as a key member of the team.
Her accurate kicking and precise passing has been a big reason behind England's recent dominance, helping to drive them to five consecutive grand slams at the Six Nations.
Although the last 12 months have been a period of transition for England, Harrison praised the squad's ability to regenerate and rebuild.
"I think it's been amazing. Obviously, we won the World Cup, and then we've backed it up with the Six Nations," she said.
"Some of the girls from the World Cup obviously have injuries, or [are] pregnant. We've had loads of new girls in, and it's just that mindset that we've gone to of, 'we will not let that shift, we will stay at the top'.
"And that's where we want to be. I think the fact that we lost half a team, there was some uncertainty from outside, but we try not to let any outside noise creep in."
Harrison has plenty to look forward to, in particular the Premiership Women's Rugby final - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max this Saturday - after her Saracens edged out Exeter Chiefs in a 12-try thriller to set up another chance at a trophy.
On the international stage, Harrison also admits that she has her "eyes set on" the inaugural British & Irish Lions Women's tour of New Zealand next year, as well as the "big" WXV campaign with England later this year.
And as she looks back at her time with England, and the World Cup in particular, Harrison hopes it is a springboard for growth in the women's game.
"I think England winning in England shows everyone what we can do, having a sold-out Twickenham," she said.
"Then I think our next game against Ireland was nearly a sellout, and just constantly showing that we can get big crowds, getting people in, getting people involved, getting people to see it, not just on telly, but coming to the stadium has really helped improve the game."
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