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As the match ended, Sadia Kabeya felt immense relief. In front of a record crowd, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and only then realised that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The final against Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were global titleholders until she the final signal came. “It was incredible,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of comfort, a chance to breathe out and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s victory topped off a lengthy winning streak, a 33 consecutive victories, but the off-field impact is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Specifically, getting off the team bus to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I struggle to put it into words,” the England star says. “The walk-in was amazing, a unique moment. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the mix of people – parents and children, people who are less mature, elderly, many male attendees – it was massive. I absolutely must see recordings to see it because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in amazement.

“You gaze upward and you observe the entire crowd. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Check it out.’ It was insane. I instantly reached for my device, I was like: ‘I must capture this.’”

If Kabeya was left with lifelong memories then she also created memories for supporters, with a player-of-the-final performance leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Thousands sang her well-known slogan at the title-winning party the next day, when the “Do, do, do Sadia Kabeya” was initiated by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all occasions she couldn't foresee could be a reality a decade ago.

Kabeya first picked up a rugby ball about a short distance from the stadium, at the her school in her hometown. First participating with boys, she was motivated by an instructor and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she started at her initial team, away from south London, she felt she had to alter her behavior to belong.

“It was in a different area, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I aimed to blend in so I modified my preferences the songs I enjoyed, my speech patterns. I have changed my accent when I was in secondary school but I was a true local when I moved to the area and I kind of wanted to change that and hold back.

“It’s only as I have progressed in rugby and found those with shared experiences and have encouraged my authentic personality that I am embracing my identity. I am true to who I am.”

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has developed a product which will reduce hurdles preventing participation. Working with her sponsor, she has produced a unique rugby cap to protect a range of hair types from rubbing, chafing and drying.

“It’s been a journey because we had to identify perfect textiles with how it can perform without causing discomfort as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re sweating and facing physical demands but also maintaining hair health.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been existing for decades, it’s not a novel invention. But to incorporate this element, it is such a tiny detail but it can have significant impact. In secondary school I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I aimed to maintain my hairstyle but I was passionate about rugby so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I came to Richmond and I attempted to suppress that and hold back

“However, for other players that would be enough. It would be: ‘I’m staying away because I don’t want to do that to my hair, I don’t want to have breakage.’ To have something that could keep people in the game or welcome additional athletes is significant.”

The completion of the competition has been golden for Kabeya. Her future games for the national team will be in the international tournament in next season, while in the period before her focus will be on the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the three years between the last two World Cups, she found it rather difficult, dealing with setbacks and a “mental dip” during the recent tournament: “I came in thinking: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to handle it.’

“I think the more difficult things became outside rugby, the more it affected her performance. I was willing to take time and do the work and consult professionals to prepare psychologically for a major tournament. I think, especially in sport, you frequently postpone action to seek solutions. Whereas now, accessing support systems and people who I can use consistently rather than facing problems later is important.”