1. Red Roses partner with Barbie
Ahead of Rugby World Cup 2025, England have partnered with Barbie in what is Barbie UK’s first partnership with a sports team.
The Red Roses and the toy brand want to inspire the next generation of female rugby players through grassroots initiatives, funding, merchandise, and storytelling. Three Red Roses have joined the campaign: captain Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Bern, and Sadia Kabeya.
“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it, that’s why this campaign is so important in showing that sport is for them. Sport teaches you confidence, teamwork and helps you create connections,” Kabeya said.
“When girls see women like them playing sport, it helps them believe they belong too. Whatever they dream of being, it starts with knowing it’s possible.”
2. Caslick and Buisa ruled out early
There were some unfortunate squad updates this week as Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp was forced to make a change due to an injury to Charlotte Caslick, who has not managed to recover from an ankle injury suffered against New Zealand in time to make this tournament.
Caslick has been replaced by uncapped 18-year-old centre Manu’a Moleka, while Canada’s Julia Omokhuale is another who has been called up due to injury.
Omokhuale has replaced Pamphinette Buisa, who suffered an injury in Canada’s final warm-up game against Ireland which has ruled her out of the Rugby World Cup.
We wish both players a speedy recovery.
3. Rugby World Cup replay: Ireland beat the Black Ferns
During the 2014 World Cup there was a victory for the ages as the Black Ferns’ 16-year reign as world champions came to an end.
Up to that point, New Zealand had not lost a Rugby World Cup match since a defeat to the United States in the 1991 semi-finals, but along came Ireland in Marcoussis, France.
Alison Miller was the woman whose individual brilliance gave Ireland the lead late on, but there were a lot of heroes that day.
Ireland’s captain that day, Fiona Coghlan sat down with RugbyPass to relive that victory – read the article here.
4. Alba Capell’s Rugby World Cup diary
Alba Capell had a turning point when Spain lost to Ireland in the final of WXV 2023, and it brought her all the way to Rugby World Cup 2025.
The young star is the latest to provide a Rugby World Cup Diary, where she discusses her inspirations as well as how she hopes to inspire the next generation of rugby players in Spain.
Click here to read all about it.
5. Wales’ sisterly squad
Within Wales 32-player squad is not one, but two sets of sisters. Sisters Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have both been given the nod alongside siblings Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs.
Not only that, all four come from the same rugby club! Nant Conwy is the club filled with beaming supporters who will be watching on as the four players give their all in a campaign that starts against Scotland on 23 August.
Nel Metcalfe said of being in the same Wales squad as her sister: “The family is buzzing. People have asked ‘how do you feel?’. I couldn’t be prouder. I’ve seen how hard she has worked, she deserves this.”
Here’s the full article.
6. Lexi Chambers continues her quest
Five-time world record holder and ChildFund Rugby Ambassador Lexi Chambers is attempting a new world record which will culminate in her delivering the match whistle for the opening game of #RWC2025 in Sunderland on August 22.
Chambers is covering the distance of ten ultramarathons in ten days using a non-sport wheelchair in the process, and you can get an update on her journey in the post below.
Go, Lexi, we’re all behind you!