England world champs as NZ settle for fifth

Captain of England Katy McLean holds the trophy with teammates to celebrate their victory in the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 Final. Photo / Getty Images

England are the new Women's Rugby World Cup champions. New Zealand had to settle for fifth place after the final day in Paris.

Sixteen points from centre Emily Scarratt helped England beat Canada 21-9 in the final, their first world title since 1994, when New Zealand did not compete.

The Black Ferns played some superb running rugby to hammer USA 55-5, with wing Honey Hireme scoring four tries of the nine. Though disappointed to have missed the big final, the Black Ferns played top rugby in four of their five games at the tournament.

Canadian wing Magali Harvey was named IRB women's player of the year.