Relive how New Zealand ended England's reign as world champions

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A titanic clash, maybe it is best to let the numbers do the talking as the word well runs dry.

England-New Zealand

Tries: 3-7

Possession: 40%-60%

Metres run: 409-531

Territory: 37%-62%

Clean breaks: 5-5

Defenders beaten: 21-14

Turnovers conceded: 15-7

More from England coach Simon Middleton: "Looking back, we have had a fantastic year. Grand Slam, winning down in New Zealand. You look around here, it's bouncing. It was a great game for the neutral. We are hugely disappointed but massively proud.

"There is no consoling the players at the moment but they will look up to the stands and see what they have brought to his tournament, hopefully it will lead to bigger things.

"We have got some great young talent coming through, and we will start to rebuild now."

England coach Simon Middleton, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live:

"It is a disappointment. We came here to win. We just could not get possession. They played a really smart game. When we did get the ball they had a massive physical presence, they are so good at playing that short game, that was the story of the second half.

"We did react, but we literally couldn't stop them. They were very efficient at keeping the ball. Full credit to them. When you get two great teams together, one is always going to come out on the wrong side."

England fly-half Katy McLean, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It wasn't the result we wanted, the one we worked for, but all credit to New Zealand. They came with a simple plan and we didn't stop that.

"The support has been sensational, but people have got to stop saying: 'Is this the match that changes women's rugby.' Let's now let's kick on. At some point we have got to kick on and start doing stuff about it.

"We simply need more coverage. That was a great game of rugby."

New Zealand form up as a team and place the spoils of war in front of themselves before launching into a celebratory haka.

Over the way, England coach Simon Middleton is fronting up to the cameras, paying tribute to his players and admitting the Black Ferns were "fantastic".

The most frustrating factor about tonight is that England conceded four identical tries around the breakdown.

Their inability to adapt to a gameplan has essentially cost them.

England's players troop up to collect their runners-up medal with smiles as weak as primary school squash.

Now it is New Zealand's turn.

They gather together on the steps of the on-pitch podium and celebrate with a sing-song conducted by fly-half Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali before Portia Woodman hoists the silverware high.

England's players have an amazing opportunity to harness this pain, in the same way the Black Ferns did four years ago. They bounced back and achieved something beautiful.

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Some props for Irish referee Joy Neville who controlled the match well and was crystal clear with the players.

There were a few iffy calls, but pretty much all of them came from her video colleagues.

England's Emily Scarratt, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It is unbelievably tough to take. When you come with one goal and get yourself into a position to achieve that, it is bitterly disappointing.

"We played some good rugby in that first half but it's hard to play well if you don't have the ball. We will come again in four years time. Fair play to New Zealand, they executed their plan better than we did ours."

Although England will be gutted, they won’t be defined by this defeat. When you consider the number of people they will have inspired, it’s not just about tonight, it’s about the longevity of this game.

England full-back Emily Scarratt speaking to ITV Sport: "The scoreline suggests a magnificent game of rugby but we are gutted. We came here with one goal and we pulled up just short. We have so many girls who are making their first World Cup appearance and they will come again."

Ben Wire: What an advert for rugby this final has been! Well done to all involved.

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The try just before half-time gave the Black Ferns that momentum. England were deflated by that, but in the end it was New Zealand's game plan and their execution of it that won them this game today.

New Zealand just completely outplayed England in that second half.

I feel so bad for them out there. In that second when you realise you have lost the World Cup, it's a totally devastating feeling. I know how hard they have worked, it is gutting for them.

There are tears among the England players as they embrace and console each.

The Black Ferns leap to the sky in pockets of glee.

That second-half performance was simply another level.

England were hugely committed but when you come up against a team playing like that there is not a lot to berate yourself about.

England gather the kick off. What can they do? Whatever it is, it needs to be quick.

New Zealand have no intention of allowing such a heist though. They hold up an England runner in the tackle, securing the turnover and surely snuffing out whatever embers of hope were ignited by that try...