Rugby World Cup: England’s first world champions in 1994

The World Cup in 2022 lasted five weeks. Burns and Mather’s schedule was much more compact with their five games being played across 18 days.

Wins over Russia and hosts Scotland in the pool stage were followed by victories over Canada and France in the knockout rounds. There was precious little time to overcome any niggles before the final.

“I was permanently bruised and aching, but it was something you were used to,” Burns recalled.

“I don’t remember letting myself feel achy or negative in any way.”

The World Cup final in 1991 finished 19-6 to the United States, with a large portion of the England squad returning three years later determined to avenge that defeat.

Burns, centre Jacquie Edwards and full-back Jane Mitchell scored tries and in addition to two penalty tries victory was secured to spark chaotic scenes of celebration.

“At the full-time whistle I fell to the ground because I was so exhausted,” said Burns.

“The crowd then ran on. There were no barriers or stewards and they were belting me over the head as I was kneeling on the floor. By the time I got to my feet the pitch was full.

“I got my medal and found the girls and held the trophy aloft.”

That evening the England players were invited to a banquet with the other 10 nations, where they celebrated into the early hours of the morning until an unexpected fire alarm finally ended their night.

But the moment that Mather remembers most fondly is being on the BBC’s flagship sports programme Grandstand to watch highlights of the game.

“We got 15 minutes on it and it showed the tries. It was incredible,” she recalled.

“I was blown away to be on the sports show that I had watched as a little one going ‘I want to do that’ one day.”

The original trophy was lost for 15 years until a Rugby Football Union for Women administrator found a wooden box tucked away in their loft.

It has since returned to Twickenham, where the players of 1994 met last Saturday to watch the Red Roses defeat Ireland in front of a crowd of 48,778.

It was a moment that signified how their victory 30 years earlier helped change the women’s game.