Pool A
England are red-hot favourites to top their pool and to lift the silverware as hosts thanks to their unstoppable form. They have not lost since the 2022 World Cup final and in April added a seventh consecutive Six Nations title to their trophy cabinet, scoring 256 points in their five matches on the way to the title.
They were, however, in equally ruthless form before the last two World Cups only to be beaten by New Zealand in both finals. Whether they can get over the final hurdle remains to be seen but there can be little doubt about the victories they will achieve during the pool stage.
The Red Roses, ranked No 1 in the world by a wide margin, have not lost a World Cup pool match in the history of the women’s tournament which began in 1991. A 13-13 draw against Canada in 2014 is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record, and that year they went on to lift the trophy.
Australia, the United States and Samoa will all try to inflict an unlikely first defeat on England at this stage of the competition but, barring a huge upset, those three nations will be fighting for the remaining qualification spot alongside the hosts.
Based on rankings most would expect Australia to join the Red Roses. The Wallaroos have reached only one World Cup semi-final previously – in 2010 – but moved up to No 6 in the world rankings at the start of August.
The US, meanwhile, have boosted their squad with former sevens talent, in their case the world’s most-followed rugby player on social media. Ilona Maher switched to the 15s game with a move to Bristol Bears in January and the centre has earned a spot in the squad.
Crowds will be big at the US games with spectators clambering to get a glimpse of Maher – the Eagles’ warm-up game against Canada in Ottawa brought in a crowd of 11,453, a record for a standalone women’s game in North America. Others to look out for include Maher’s centre colleague Alev Kelter – often a game-changer for her team – and captain Kate Zackary, the back-row who brings playing prowess and leadership qualities.
Australia and the US have their own rivalry from competing in the Pacific Four Series. In May, Australia ran out 27-19 winners and US will want to avenge that defeat at the World Cup, with the showdown in York on 30 August likely to decide who goes through to the last eight.
Samoa will need more than one upset to progress as the lowest-ranked team in the pool. They have never reached the knockout stage and that again feels out of reach, but if they are able to land a blow on any of their opponents, it will represent a huge victory.
England
World ranking (as of 4 Aug) 1 Coach John Mitchell Captain Zoe Aldcroft
Key player: Zoe Aldcroft Competition within the Red Roses squad increases every year with world-class stars from 1-23, but the captain was the only player to retain her starting shirt throughout this year’s Six Nations. She was already a stalwart for England before being given the captaincy but the role has only added to her presence on the pitch. Watch out for Aldcroft at the breakdown but also in open play; her individual try against Scotland in the Six Nations exemplified how clinical she can be with ball in hand.
Australia
World ranking 6 Coach Jo Yapp Captain Siokapesi Palu
Key player: Tabua Tuinakauvadra The No8 has grown into the role since making her debut in 2023. This will be her first Rugby World Cup but her impact on pitch is regularly felt for the Wallaroos. She scored two tries in Australia’s second game against Wales in early August. She is a star that can do both, all of the hard work in the background that goes unnoticed but can also produce performances that grabs headlines.
USA
World ranking 10 Coach Sione Fukofuka Captain Kate Zackary
Key player: Alev Kelter Kelter had a top-level college career in ice hockey and football (soccer) – playing internationally in both at youth level – before switching to rugby as her ambitions to make the US team for the Sochi Olympics dwindled. A sculpture and glassblowing graduate, she became the first American woman to score a sevens try at the Olympics and has made a name for herself in English domestic rugby with Loughborough Lightning. The centre has showcased her ability to spot space and break the line on the club and international stage. Sent off in a Pacific Four match against Australia in May for stamping.
Samoa
World ranking 15 Coach Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino Captain Sua Pauaraisa
Key player: Sua Pauaraisa All 32 players in the squad are set to make their World Cup debuts but they are captained by an experienced leader in Masuisuimatamaalii (aka Sua) Tauaua Pauaraisa. She has also played sevens and rugby league and is excited to take her country into their first World Cup since 2014, saying: “I am thrilled to lead this team of passionate women and we will do our best to represent our beloved Samoa.”
Fixtures
England v USA Fri 22 Aug, 7.30pm, Sunderland
Australia v Samoa Sat 23 Aug, noon, Salford
England v Samoa Sat 30 Aug, 5pm, Northampton
USA v Australia Sat 30 Aug, 7.30pm, York
USA v Samoa Sat 6 Sep, 1.30pm, York
England v Australia Sat 6 Sep, 5pm, Brighton
Pool B
Canada are the tournament’s dark horses, flying under the radar despite their impressive form, and are more than capable of winning the World Cup for the first time.
The England wing Jess Breach, who has never lost an international match, said the Red Roses’ WXV encounter with Canada last October was the first time she worried she was about to lose, though England eventually battled to a 21-12 victory. Canada were also impressive in the Pacific Four Series, beating the US and Australia, and drawing 27-27 with the Black Ferns.
A 42-10 win over the US in their final warm-up game before heading to Europe suggests they are a side in fine form and they are finally beginning to get the financial backing their talent deserves: a Rugby Canada fundraising campaign – named “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025” – aimed at closing the budget gap between them and their rivals, is closing in on its C$1m (£545,000 ) target. They should top the pool with the second knockout spot likely to go to Scotland or Wales.
Wales took a second consecutive wooden spoon in the Six Nations but showed what they are capable of with a 21-12 win against Australia in Brisbane in the buildup, even if that was followed by a 36-5 defeat in Sydney.
They are recovering from off-field controversy that almost resulted in the union withdrawing the team from the tournament. The threat came from the WRU over contract negotiations but that issue appears to have been resolved.
Sean Lynn has taken charge after winning the English domestic league – the PWR – for three seasons in a row with Gloucester-Hartpury. They begin against familiar opposition in Scotland. The two sides met at the last World Cup, when a last-minute Keira Bevan penalty gave Wales victory and put them on course for the quarter-finals.
This time Scotland will be favourites but games between them continue to be close. Most recently, in the Six Nations, Scotland came out 24-21 winners in a game that could have gone either way.
Scotland’s head coach, Bryan Easson, will depart following the tournament after five years in charge. The reasons for his exit are unclear, but he has called the job “the greatest honour of my coaching career”. Meanwhile the captain, Rachel Malcolm, in July highlighted the “very disruptive” buildup to the tournament, with players facing uncertainty over their contracts after the summer.
Fiji sensationally beat South Africa at the last World Cup but their recent form has been disappointing. They registered only one win at WXV3 – against Hong Kong China – while losing to Spain and Samoa. Their best chance of getting a result will be against Wales, but they will find it difficult not to finish bottom.
Canada
World ranking 2 Coach Kévin Rouet Captain Alex Tessier
Key player: Sophie de Goede A long-time servant and highly capable leader, De Goede is one of the best players in the world. The 26-year-old – who keeps her match ticket from the final in 2014, when Canada lost to England, in her dressing table – possesses quick decision making and plenty of pace, making her a vital cog in the Canadian machine. She has recently recovered from a serious knee injury, so may not be in peak condition early on, but remains vital to the team.
Scotland
World ranking 8 Coach Bryan Easson Captain Rachel Malcolm
Key player: Francesca McGhie The wing is one of the fastest players at the tournament – if any of Scotland’s opponents give her an inch she will take a mile. The 22-year-old, who has recently signed for Trailfinders from Leicester Tigers, made her mark during the Women’s Six Nations and will aim to do the same at her first Rugby World Cup.
Wales
World ranking 9 Coach Sean Lynn Co-captains Alex Callender, Kate Williams
Key player: Jasmine Joyce-Butchers The Bristol Bears wing is a three-time Olympian with Great Britain who has also competed at the Commonwealth Games and two previous World Cups, making her one of the most experienced players at the tournament. She is versatile, being able to play as a full-back or wing, and has electric pace though she is also committed in defence. Her wife Alisha is also a Wales international but is missing the tournament as she is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Fiji
World ranking 14 Coach Ioan Cunningham Captain Alfreda Fisher
Key player: Alfreda Fisher The 20-year-old became Fiji’s youngest women’s captain in May against Australia. Fisher, who grew up in the village of Togo on the tiny islet of Qamea, made her debut for the 15s side at WXV 3 in 2024 but has quickly become one of the first names on the teamsheet. Fiji’s head coach, Ioan Cunningham, said of the star: “She’s been a standout individual, leading by example.”
Fixtures
Scotland v Wales Sat 23 Aug, 2.45pm, Salford
Canada v Fiji Sat 23 Aug, 5.30pm, York
Canada v Wales Sat 30 Aug, noon, Salford
Scotland v Fiji Sat 30 Aug, 2.45pm, Salford
Canada v Scotland Sat 6 Sep, noon, Exeter
Wales v Fiji Sat 6 Sep, 2.45pm, Exeter
Pool C
The defending champions New Zealand, six-time World Cup winners, are among the favourites to lift the trophy at Twickenham and should find their pool straightforward.
Their options in the back three are so good that Ruby Tui – breakout star of their success last time around – did not make the squad. Among the wings is the speedy Ayesha Leti-I’iga who scored two tries in the 2022 final against England. Anything other than smooth progress to the latter stages would be a surprise.
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Those looking for signs of a shock could point to their 27-27 draw with Canada in May’s Pacific Four Series and the fact that Ireland are known for being a thorn in the Black Ferns’ side.
They were the only team to beat them during the 2014 Rugby World Cup with a 17-14 pool stage win – the New Zealanders’ first (and only) defeat at the tournament since 1991 – and more recently, at WXV last October, Ireland edged a 29-27 victory that shocked the sport, Erin King’s 79th-minute try and Dannah O’Brien’s conversion clinching a stunning result.
New Zealand, though, have a habit of peaking at World Cups and while Ireland’s form has improved in the past year, they have lost King and flanker Dorothy Wall with long-term injuries. They are also likely be without their star player, Aoife Wafer, for the start of the tournament.
The back-row had knee surgery in July and is in a race to be fit with coaches not expecting her to feature until their final pool game against the Black Ferns. The positive news for Scott Bemand’s side is Sam Monaghan’s recovery from an ACL injury.
The Six Nations was a mixed bag, with comfortable wins over Italy and Wales, predictable defeats by England and France and a surprise loss to Scotland. Still, bonus points meant Ireland finished third behind Europe’s two heavyweights.
Spain, who were on the receiving end of a 97-7 hammering by England in a warm-up game at the start of August, are competing in their first Rugby World Cup in eight years and Japan compete as amateurs so neither are expected to reach the knockouts. Instead the two countries will target each other as their opportunity to record a win.
While Japan look the more experienced side, Spain are capable of pushing their opponents and could spring a surprise to rival their last World Cup, in 2017, when they beat Italy 22-8 in the pool stage. Spain are not usually professional but the players have been handed six-month contracts to prepare for the tournament.
Those contracts are due to run out in September but the union has said it wants to develop full-time deals for players. This World Cup could be the turning point for many unions in terms of a lasting impact.
New Zealand
World ranking 3 Director of Performance Allan Bunting Co-captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu
Key player: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Rivals may have let out a sigh of relief when the wing announced her retirement in 2024, but in April 2025 she was back. The 34-year-old will aim to add to her record Rugby World Cup try tally, which already stands at 20, five more than Bryan Habana who leads the way in the men’s tournament.
Ireland
World ranking 5 Coach Scott Bemand Captain Amee-Leigh Costigan
Key player: Amee-Leigh Costigan She captained Ireland for the first time against France in the 2025 Six Nations and scored against the Red Roses during that tournament, the try displaying the pace and skill she has to outfox defences. The 30-year-old, who competed in the 100m and long jump in her junior years, brings huge experience from the sevens game and competed at the 2024 Paris Games. This is her first Rugby World Cup after Ireland failed to qualify in 2022.
Japan
World ranking 11 Coach Lesley McKenzie Captain Iroha Nagata
Key player: Iroha Nagata Not only does the back-rower bring natural athleticism from sevens, where she has won a gold medal at the Asian Games, she also has an abundance of 15s game time. The 26-year-old has already represented Japan at two World Cups. Along with playing experience, she also has a leadership string to her bow, having captained the side at the 2024 WXV 2 and on a recent tour to the US.
Spain
World ranking 13 Coach Juan González Marruecos Captain Laura Delgado Dueña
Key player: Cristina Blanco Herrera The hooker recovered from injury in time to join Spain’s preparations for the World Cup, which was a huge boost. Blanco Herrera, who plays for Trailfinders in the PWR – a role she combines with working as a physiotherapist at Brunel University – has skill at the set piece but is also able to galvanise her side in crucial moments. Like the majority of the squad, she is playing in the World Cup for the first time.
Fixtures
Ireland v Japan Sun 24 Aug, noon, Northampton
New Zealand v Spain Sun 24 Aug, 5.30pm, York
Ireland v Spain Sun 31 Aug, noon, Northampton
New Zealand v Japan Sun 31 Aug, 2pm, Exeter
Japan v Spain Sun 7 Sep, noon, York
New Zealand v Ireland Sun 7 Sep, 2.45pm, Brighton
Pool D
France and Italy are in prime position to reach the quarter-finals. The French objective will be to win the pool and avoid New Zealand in the last eight: presuming the Black Ferns top their group they will play the runners-up here. France will also be keen to produce statement performances to suggest their bid to win the tournament for the first time has a chance of coming to fruition.
For such a consistent team with world-class players, France have generally failed to reach the expected heights. In 2022, they had a penalty in the final minutes of their World Cup semi-final to beat the hosts New Zealand and set up a final against rivals England, but Caroline Drouin missed the kick and the Black Ferns went through with a 25-24 victory. France at least responded to that disappointment by thumping Canada 36-0 in the third-place playoff.
Les Bleues will be missing the suspended Pauline Bourdon Sansus for the opener against Italy, after the scrum-half was banned for criticising refereeing standards in France after a defeat for her club side, Toulouse.
If any team can upset France in the pool it is Italy. Le Azzurre were quarter-finalists at the last World Cup (before losing to France) and had their moments in this year’s Six Nations despite lacking consistency. They beat Scotland in Edinburgh and Wales at home, and were impressive against Les Bleues in a 34-21 loss in Parma on their way to a fourth-place finish.
It was Fabio Roselli’s first tournament in charge of the side and the head coach will be hoping the team can take another step forward. Roselli has World Cup experience, having played for Italy in the men’s tournament in 1999.
The underdogs are tournament debutants Brazil, the first South American side to appear at the tournament. Solidity will be the objective for a side who have never before faced any of their pool opponents. They have been consistently playing only since 2019 and getting this far in such a short space of time is impressive. “Brazil’s participation in this World Cup is a historic milestone,” said Andre Chiofetti, the CEO of Brazil Rugby.
Any kind of result for Brazil would be memorable and their best chance of a win will come against South Africa. The Springboks, however, will be favourites for that match-up and will be targeting the Brazil game themselves as they have not registered a win at a Rugby World Cup since 2010, when they defeated Wales 15-10.
South Africa are regulars at the tournament, having featured in four editions – 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2021 – but have thus far been unable to match the success of the four-time world champion men’s side, and are yet to qualify from the group stage.
France
World ranking 4 Coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz Co-captains Manaé Feleu and Marine Ménager
Key player: Gabrielle Vernier The centre does a lot of work in the background but makes her presence known with strong hits and spectacular covering tackles. Vernier, who started playing in a boys’ team aged 10, has been one of the most consistent performers for France over the last few years, and was named the player of the 2023 Six Nations. A key axis in France’s game.
Italy
World ranking 6 Coach Fabio Roselli Captain Elisa Giordano
Key player: Beatrice Rigoni A selection that may raise a few eyebrows given the Sale Sharks centre has been out of favour since the Six Nations. But no one can question the experience she brings, and during the crucial moments, that is what you need in tournament rugby. Rigoni, who studied to be a pharmacist at university, is also capable of producing moments of individual brilliance to carve open opposition defences. Even starting from the bench, the 29-year-old can turn a game on its head.
South Africa
World ranking 12 Coach Swys de Bruin Co-captains Nolusindiso Booi and Babalwa Latsha
Key player: Babalwa Latsha Not only has Latsha been crucial for South Africa on the field, the 31-year-old prop has also been a substantial player in moving African women’s rugby forward. She was the first female African player to become professional in 2020 and continues to drive standards. She is also experienced in the sevens game, bringing pace and skill from that code, having also honed her skills with a stay at Harlequins.
Brazil
World ranking 25 Coach Emiliano Caffera Captain Eshyllen Coimbra
Key player: Edna Santini The sevens and rugby league star Santini is poised to make history individually as well as being a part of a groundbreaking Brazil team. The 33-year-old is poised to become the first player to compete at a Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, Sevens World Series, Olympic games and Rugby League World Cup. Santini’s skilful footwork has already helped Brazil at several tournaments and this will be no different.
Fixtures
France v Italy Sat 23 Aug, 8.15pm, Exeter
South Africa v Brazil Sun 24 Aug, 2.45pm, Northampton
Italy v South Africa Sun 31 Aug, 3.30pm, York
France v Brazil Sun 31 Aug, 4.45pm, Exeter
Italy v Brazil Sun 7 Sep, 2pm, Northampton
France v South Africa Sun 7 Sep, 4.45pm, Northampton