Home SPORTS Women's Rugby World Cup Kicks Off: England Aims for Glory

Women's Rugby World Cup Kicks Off: England Aims for Glory

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The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience. The 2025 World Cup features 16 teams, including England, New Zealand, and the United States. Read more.


 “We're ready to break records in attendances, viewership and engagement...”



The Women's Rugby World Cup is about to kick off, and hosts England are riding high as strong favorites. However, they're also under immense pressure to break a 20-year drought without a World Cup title. England's Red Roses have been dominating recently, with only one loss in their past 58 matches - a heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final.

Recent Performance

England's recent form has been impressive, with a 5-match winning streak. They've won their last two warm-up matches against Spain and France, scoring 97-7 and 40-6 respectively. This confidence boost will likely propel them forward in the tournament.

Tournament Format

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup features 16 teams divided into four pools of four nations each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals, with the winners progressing to the semifinals and ultimately the final on September 27 at Twickenham Stadium.

England's Schedule

England's journey begins on August 22 against the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Their other pool matches include:
  • England vs. Samoa: August 30, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
  • England vs. Australia: September 6, Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton




With their strong record and home advantage, England will be looking to finally bring home the World Cup title after two decades of disappointment.

England's Quest for Rugby World Cup Glory

England's rugby team has consistently fallen short in the World Cup, finishing as runner-up to New Zealand in five of the last six finals. Their most recent global title was in 2014. To change this narrative, England appointed renowned coach John Mitchell from New Zealand in 2023, hoping he can guide them to ultimate success.


Mitchell's Experience and Challenges
Mitchell previously faced similar challenges as the coach of the New Zealand men's team, particularly during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, where he couldn't lead them to victory. Despite this, Mitchell's extensive experience, including coaching stints in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the United States, and Japan, makes him a strong candidate to help England overcome their hurdles. As the current head coach of the England women's team, Mitchell is determined to lead the Red Roses to World Cup glory in 2025.


England full-back Ellie Kildunne praises coach John Mitchell, saying, “He'll tell you straight if you're getting something wrong and he wants the best for you.” This honest approach seems to be working for the team, who recently showed resilience in their match against France. After nearly blowing a 31-7 lead, England edged home 43-42, a close call that might have ultimately been a blessing in disguise.

Additional Recent Performance

England's determination was put to the test in their seventh successive Six Nations title-winning campaign. Despite the nail-biting finish against France, the team's ability to secure victory under pressure will likely be crucial in their future matches.

Upcoming Challenges

As England prepares for the Rugby World Cup, Kildunne's assessment of Mitchell's coaching style highlights the team's focus on improvement and success. With Mitchell at the helm, England aims to overcome past disappointments and claim the World Cup title. Mitchell's extensive experience, including his time as coach of the New Zealand men's team, will be invaluable in guiding the Red Roses to victory.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's Journey to the World Cup

New Zealand's Black Ferns are set to face off against England in the Women's Rugby World Cup, with legendary wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe looking to end her illustrious career on a high note. Woodman-Wickliffe, 34, has had an incredible rugby journey, winning two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals. Despite initial plans to retire, she made a dramatic U-turn, signing an eight-month contract with New Zealand Rugby to join the Black Ferns' World Cup campaign.

Woodman-Wickliffe's Thoughts on Her Return

“I never really planned to go to it,” Woodman-Wickliffe admitted, reflecting on her decision to join the Black Ferns for the World Cup. She had briefly retired after winning a gold medal in Paris on the New Zealand rugby sevens team but decided to return to the sport she loves. Woodman-Wickliffe's experience and skill will undoubtedly be a significant boost to the Black Ferns as they aim to defend their title.

The Black Ferns' World Cup Campaign

The Black Ferns, ranked third globally, will begin their World Cup journey on August 24 against Spain, followed by matches against Ireland and Japan in Pool C. With Woodman-Wickliffe's leadership and the team's depth in talent, they're hopeful for success in England. The team's recent performances, including a 79-14 win over the USA in the Pacific Four Series, demonstrate their strength and adaptability.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's Decision to Play in the World Cup

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, New Zealand's star wing, decided to join the Black Ferns for the World Cup, saying, “But I thought I'm still enjoying XVs, why not give this a crack. If I don't make it fine, it's cool. But if I do make it, then it will be one last ride.” This mindset reflects her passion for the sport and her desire to end her career on a high note.

Key Contenders in the Tournament

The Black Ferns will face strong competition from Canada, who recently held New Zealand to a tough match. Canada remains a significant threat to both the Black Ferns and England's Red Roses. The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup features 16 teams divided into four pools, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. This format promises exciting matches and unpredictable outcomes, making the tournament highly competitive.


Ireland's Challenge in the World Cup
Ireland has been drawn in Pool C with New Zealand, a team they surprisingly beat in last year's WXV tournament. This new competition was introduced to elevate the standard of women's rugby globally. Ireland's victory over New Zealand was a significant upset, showcasing their growth and potential in the sport. The WXV tournament has been instrumental in providing more opportunities for women's teams to compete at a high level, and Ireland's performance demonstrates their ability to compete with top teams.

Growing the Game

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is not just about the on-field action; it's also focused on growing the game in all aspects. Officials are working to increase participation, viewership, and investment in women's rugby, both domestically and internationally. By hosting the tournament in England, organizers aim to inspire a new generation of players and fans, building on the momentum generated by recent tournaments.


The American team boasts a breakout social media star, 29-year-old Ilona Maher, who has gained immense popularity with over 8 million followers across her social media platforms. Maher is not only known for her impressive rugby skills but also for promoting body positivity, making her a beloved figure among fans.

Ilona Maher's Rise to Fame

Maher has become a rugby sensation, with a significant following on TikTok and Instagram. She has expressed her excitement about potentially joining the US team for the World Cup, stating, “I'll try to make that team and see if they can use me somewhere on that field.” Her enthusiasm and dedication to the sport have endeared her to fans worldwide.

Global Celebration of Women's Rugby

The Women's Rugby World Cup is expected to be a global celebration of women's rugby, with tournament director Sarah Massey saying, “We're ready to break records in attendance, viewership, and engagement.” The event has already seen over 375,000 tickets sold, and organizers anticipate a sell-out crowd of over 80,000 for the final match at Twickenham on September 27.


The Women's Rugby World Cup is breaking records even before the tournament begins. Brazil has made history by becoming the first South American team to qualify for the World Cup, securing their spot after a 34-13 win over Colombia. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Brazilian women's rugby, with the team expected to make a strong impression in the tournament.


The final match, scheduled for September 27 at Twickenham Stadium, is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of over 80,000 fans, setting a new record for women's rugby matches. This anticipated attendance highlights the growing popularity and excitement surrounding the Women's Rugby World Cup. With 16 teams competing, the tournament promises to showcase top-notch rugby and inspire fans worldwide.


The Women's Rugby World Cup is breaking records left and right. The existing record for a women's 15-a-side fixture is 58,498, set when England clinched the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam by beating France 38-33 at Twickenham. However, this record is expected to be smashed at the upcoming final on September 27, with a sell-out crowd of over 80,000 anticipated at Twickenham Stadium.


Ticket Sales

The ticket sales for the Women's Rugby World Cup have been phenomenal, with over 375,000 tickets sold across all 32 matches. This is significantly higher than the previous tournament in New Zealand, with sales three times higher. The final match at Twickenham Stadium is expected to be a sell-out, with over 80,000 fans packing the stadium to watch the pinnacle of women's rugby.

Record-Breaking Attendance

The attendance record for women's rugby is set to be broken, with the final match expected to draw a massive crowd. The previous record was set at the 2023 Six Nations match between England and France, with 58,498 fans attending. However, with over 80,000 expected at the final, this record will likely be smashed.


The Women's Rugby World Cup is poised to make history, with tournament director Sarah Massey expressing her confidence in the event's potential. “We're ready to break records in attendances, viewership and engagement,” she said during the launch event at Twickenham. “This is going to be the biggest global celebration of women's rugby that we have ever seen.” This enthusiasm reflects the growing popularity and investment in women's rugby.


A notable milestone for this year's tournament is the presence of three female head coaches: Gaelle Mignot (France), Jo Yapp (Australia), and Lesley McKenzie (Japan). This marks a significant step forward for women's rugby, highlighting the increasing opportunities and recognition for female coaches in the sport. Their leadership will undoubtedly inspire and influence the next generation of female rugby players.




The disparity in professionalism among teams participating in the Women's Rugby World Cup is notable, with England being fully professional while many of their rivals are still semi-professional or amateur. More than half of Scotland's squad have expressed concerns about potentially losing their professional contracts after the World Cup. According to World Rugby Chief of Women's Rugby, Sally Horrox, “There is no doubt that we will have teams at a different stage of their professional development and that will reflect in some of the scorelines.”


Despite these differences, the introduction of the WXV tournament in 2023 has positively impacted the sport. Horrox highlighted that WXV has led to “a raising of standards and a narrowing in terms of competitive margins.” This development suggests that the gap between teams is gradually decreasing, making the competition more intense and unpredictable. The WXV tournament provides a platform for teams to compete regularly, which in turn, elevates the overall standard of women's rugby.



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