Bath Rugby head of rugby Johann van Grann has congratulated the Red Roses for being crowned champions at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Johann van Graan hailed the Red Roses for winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final here at the Allianz Stadium | Photo © Richard Briggs
In the final at the Allianz Stadium, London, on Saturday 27th September, England – who also won the World Cup in 1994 and 2014 – overpowered Canada 33-13 in front of an 81,885-strong crowd.
And van Graan said the victory would be “massive” for the future of women’s rugby in England, adding: “It was amazing to see a packed-out Twickenham [Allianz Stadium], amazing vibe at Twickenham – and we’ve gone through that, it’s amazing when you win something.
“They were clearly the best team, not only in the tournament but in the last few years. Amazing for Mitch [John Mitchell, England’s head coach], you’ve seen a lot of very happy players, a lot of very happy people.
“When you win a World Cup it’s massive, and congratulations to them. They’ve set the bar very high in terms of women’s rugby and I wish them well.
“A World Cup is an amazing thing. It brings people together and it celebrates the game, the great game that we have, and it’s alive and well in both men’s and women’s rugby.”
The Red Roses’ success came a day after it was revealed that the government will not be calling in the Blue, Black & White’s application to redevelop The Rec and turn it into an 18,000-capacity stadium. That means the project has the go-ahead.
Van Graan said: “The Rec’s a special place. Over the last two years specifically it’s been amazing in terms of the support we’ve got.
“I think life is about change and adapting to it. It [the new stadium] will be another big step in the history of Bath Rugby, a club founded in 1865.
“I remember when I was a young boy the floodlights were changed at Loftus [Loftus Versfeld Stadium in his homeland South Africa] and what a big moment that was.
“To play in a new stadium will be amazing and hopefully we can get that as soon as possible, I know we’re not speaking months we’re speaking a bit longer.”
Bath back row Miles Reid grew up in the city and came through the ranks at the club – and he acknowledged just what the new stadium will mean.
He said: “It will be great for the city. Growing up here, The Rec’s a pivotal area in the city – and to improve that, make that look better, bringing in people, it’s brilliant.”
The club have now said farewell to assistant coach Lee Blackett, who has taken up a role with the England set-up.
“We’ve learnt so much from Lee,” said Reid. “It was really good to get that win [at Harlequins on Friday 26th September in Blackett’s final match with Bath] and give him a good send-off away to England. We’ll miss him sorely.”
Regarding a replacement for Blackett, van Graan said: “Once I’ve got something to announce, I will. I’m going to take my time [over an appointment].”
