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When the game concluded, Sadia Kabeya felt immense relief. In front of a record crowd, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and then understood that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “gruelling,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were international winners until she the final signal came. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of relief, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve accomplished it.’”

England’s triumph capped a lengthy winning streak, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the broader influence is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Specifically, getting off the team bus to be met with throngs of fans and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I struggle to put it into words,” the England star says. “The stadium entrance was unforgettable, a once in a lifetime experience. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the variety present – parents and children, people who are more youthful, older, loads of men coming to the game – it was immense. I certainly need to review footage to experience it again because I believe I didn’t fully absorb it because I was a bit in awe.

“You glance around and you observe the entire crowd. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was unreal. I instantly reached for my device, I was like: ‘I have to record this.’”

If Kabeya was left with lifelong memories then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a award-winning match effort guiding her team to a 33-13 win. Thousands sang her now-familiar chant at the title-winning party the day after, when the “celebratory tune” was initiated by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all occasions she couldn't foresee could be a reality a in her younger days.

Kabeya first took up the sport about a short distance from the stadium, at the Harris city academy in Croydon, south London. First participating with boys, she was supported by her coach and former England prop Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she became part of a new squad, outside her home area, she felt she had to adjust her identity to belong.

“It was in another part of town, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I wanted to fit into the team so I adjusted my habits my musical tastes, my way of talking. I have changed my accent when I was in high school but I was a proper south London girl when I joined the club and I kind of wanted to change that and hold back.

“It’s only as I have gone along in the sport and connected with similar individuals and have helped me rediscover myself that I am finding [my] personality. I am myself now.”

While encouraging future athletes, Kabeya has developed a product which will reduce hurdles blocking some from taking up the sport. Collaborating with a partner, she has produced a unique rugby cap to shield different styles from abrasion, irritation and damage.

“It’s been a development because we had to find the right material with how it can function while allowing airflow as it has to be appropriate for the sport, where you’re sweating and getting through a lot of work but also protecting your hair.

“A protective cap is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to add this layer, it is such a tiny detail but it can make such a big difference. In secondary school I used to improvise with household items because I aimed to maintain my hairstyle but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a typical resident when I joined the club and I wanted to change that and conceal my true identity

“However, for other players that would be enough. It would be: ‘I’m staying away because I prefer to avoid damage, I aim to maintain health.’ To have equipment that encourages participation or welcome additional athletes is significant.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been golden for Kabeya. Her upcoming international matches will be in the Six Nations in April, while in the period before her attention turns to the next club competition for her team, Loughborough Lightning. In the period leading up to the tournament, she found it far from easy, facing physical issues and a “emotional struggle” during the previous competition: “I entered believing: ‘Oh I’ll be okay, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the worse it got off pitch, the worse it got on pitch. I was willing to take time and put in the effort and speak to the right people to prepare psychologically for a major tournament. I think, particularly in athletics, you frequently postpone action to try and do something about it. However currently, accessing support systems and people who I can use consistently as opposed to reacting to issues is significant.”