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As the match ended, relief washed over. With a massive turnout watching, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and then understood that the England team had secured the Rugby World Cup. The clash with Canada had been so “demanding,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were international winners until she the final signal came. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of relief, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s success topped off a dominant three years, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the off-field impact is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Notably, 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 23-year-old flanker says. “The walk-in was amazing, a rare opportunity. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the diversity in it – families, people who are more youthful, older, many male attendees – it was massive. I absolutely must see recordings to relive it because I don’t think I captured it enough because I was a bit in shock.

“You glance around and you see everyone in the stands. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘See that.’ It was insane. 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 player-of-the-final performance leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Crowds chanted her now-familiar chant at the post-victory event the next day, when the “celebratory tune” was initiated by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all moments she did not comprehend could be a reality a in her younger days.

Kabeya first started playing rugby about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the a local institution in the London borough of Croydon. Initially playing alongside the boys, she was supported by her coach and ex-international player Bryony Cleall to continue with rugby. 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 a different area, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I wanted to fit into the team so I modified my preferences the songs I enjoyed, my way of talking. I have changed my accent when I was in secondary school but I was a true local when I joined the club and I kind of wanted to change that and conceal my true identity.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and found those with shared experiences and have brought me out of my shell again that I am discovering my true self. I am true to who I am.”

Alongside inspiring the next generation, Kabeya has created an item which will eliminate obstacles preventing participation. Teaming up with a brand, she has created a satin scrum cap to safeguard various textures from friction, irritation and dehydration.

“It’s been a development because we had to source suitable fabric with how it can work and be breathable still as it has to be appropriate for the sport, where you’re sweating and undergoing intense activity but also protecting your hair.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been existing for decades, it’s not a groundbreaking concept. 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 use makeshift protection because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I was passionate about rugby so it didn’t bother me.

I was a typical resident when I came to Richmond and I wanted to change that and hold back

“However, for certain individuals that would be the end. It would be: ‘I’m not playing because I prefer to avoid damage, I aim to maintain health.’ To have gear that supports involvement or have people join the game is huge.”

The ending of this World Cup cycle has been golden for Kabeya. Her upcoming international matches will be in the European championship in next season, while in the meantime her focus will be on the forthcoming domestic league for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it far from easy, dealing with setbacks and a “emotional struggle” during the previous competition: “I entered believing: ‘Oh I’ll be alright, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the more it affected her performance. I was able to go away and do the work and consult professionals to get myself in the best head space for a World Cup. I think, especially in sport, you often delay until crisis point to seek solutions. But today, utilizing available help and experts I can consult regularly as opposed to reacting to issues is important.”