Loughborough Lightning forward Sadia Kabeya said it has been a ‘privilege’ to participate in the 2025 Rugby World Cup as she prepares for this weekend’s final.
The openside flanker has featured in all five Red Roses’ matchday squads so far and started in the quarter-final and semi-final victories over Scotland and France.
Those wins have set England up for a date with destiny when they take on Canada at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in the final on Saturday 28 September (kick-off: 4pm).
“This World Cup has been a showcase of the growth of our game, and being part of it feels like a privilege,” said Kabeya. “It has been a massive effort by everyone involved – staff and players – to get this point.
“We have had to earn the right to reach the final and every match has tested us in its own unique way, demanding the best from us.”
Sadia Kabeya
Kabeya, who passed the 50-appearance mark for Lightning during the 2024/25 campaign and will commence her fifth season with Loughborough after the Rugby World Cup, played the full 80 minutes of England’s last-four success against France.
That result in Bristol came a day after Canada defeated defending champions New Zealand in a thrilling showdown, setting up a repeat of the 2014 final – which England emerged victorious from to lift the trophy for a second time following their 1994 triumph.
For 23-year-old Kabeya, it will be a second shot at World Cup glory having featured as a second-half replacement during the 2021 final defeat to New Zealand.
She said: “It’s first versus second in the world so it will be a fantastic occasion at Allianz Stadium. We can’t wait to see the thousands of white shirts, red cowboy hats and faces painted with Red Roses this weekend.”
Loughborough Lightning’s Rugby World Cup stars will be back on club duty by the time they start their 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby home games at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday 2 November (kick-off: 1pm) against Sale Sharks. To make sure you do not miss out, purchase a Lightning Season Ticket priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors by clicking HERE!
*Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.
