LONDON - England coach John Mitchell insisted the Red Roses could "dominate the world for a long time" after their 33-13 win over Canada in the Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday.
The victory ended England's lengthy wait to win a third world title to set alongside their 1994 and 2014 triumphs.
No 8 Alex Matthews, a world champion 11 years ago when England also beat Canada in the final, scored two of their five tries on Saturday.
England, the best resourced team in women's rugby union and with the most competitive domestic league -- Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) -- had long been regarded as favourites to be crowned world champions on home soil.
But the fact England had won just once in six successive final appearances, including an agonising 34-31 defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 showpiece in Auckland -- had raised questions about their ability under pressure.
Canada's Asia Hogan-Rochester tried to re-open those doubts with a fifth-minute try in front of a sellout crowd of 81,885 -- a new record for a women's 15-a-side match -- at the headquarters of English rugby union.
England, however, led 21-8 at half-time thanks to tries from full-back Ellie Kildunne, hooker Amy Cokayne and Matthews.
Abbie Ward added another try early in the second half before Matthews powered over 11 minutes from time as England extended their own record run to 33 successive wins.
"These girls are awesome," said Mitchell, brought into the England women's set-up after the 2022 final with the specific aim of winning the World Cup.
The 61-year-old New Zealander, a former head coach of the All Blacks and England's defence chief when they were beaten in the 2019 men's World Cup final by South Africa, added: "Three years ago we set about doing something and we finally took the last few steps today.
"I think 2022 taught us a lot... We can dominate the world for a long time but the world's going to get better, so this is just the start."
Zoe Aldcroft, England's elated captain, said: "We have had 33 wins in a row and we have finally put the cherry on top of the cake by winning the World Cup.
"It feels great. Honestly, it's unbelievable. It is literally what dreams are made of."