Anticipation levels are rising across England and far further afield as players and fans alike gear up for the opening weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Here is your latest slice of all the top stories, with plenty of action replays to get you in the mood. Do not forget to book mark us, with fresh content dropping throughout every day of the tournament.
1. ‘A fundamentally critical moment in women’s rugby’
If you are relatively new to women’s rugby and want an idea of just what the next seven-and-a-half weeks mean, take a listen to men’s Rugby World Cup 2007 winner Bryan Habana:
It is spine-tingling stuff from the South African.
He will soon be on the ground in England for a tournament that he hopes will ensure “the game continues to rocket launch into the stratosphere” – get your tickets here, if you want to join him.
2. Inside track on match-week from Hope Rogers
Interested in how players prepare for the biggest game of their careers? Curious as to what goes on in the final hours before kick-off? Want to know what the world’s best rugby players eat before smashing into each other?
If so, look no further than four-time Rugby World Cup player Hope Rogers’ Diary entry.
3. England hoping for more Kildunne magic
Despite being the world No.1 ranked side, and on a 27-match unbeaten run, there is no doubt hosts England will be feeling the pressure ahead of Friday evening’s showdown with Hope Rogers’ USA (KO 19:30 BST).
But to ease the frayed nerves of fans all over the country, here is clip from the last time the two teams played each other, in round 1 of WXV 1 2024:
That piece of magic from England’s Reigning World Rugby Player of the year, Ellie Kildunne, helped set the Red Roses on their way to a 61-21 win. How fans in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will be hoping for more of the same…
4. Six Nations derbies dominate opening Saturday
Scotland v Wales and France v Italy are fixtures that routinely send shivers of anticipation down the spines of rugby fans, and on Saturday, 23 August these old rivalries will take centre stage.
Given the brilliance of their recent meeting in round 1 of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations (highlights below) Scottish and Welsh fans at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester (KO 14:45 BST) are in for a treat.
Meanwhile, world No.4 ranked France will be hoping to replicate some of their free-flowing best that was on show during their recent 34-21 Six Nations win over Italy (enjoy the best bits below) when they face off at 20:15 BST at Exeter’s Sandy Park.
5. World Rugby launches blueprint for growth
Ahead of the biggest women’s rugby tournament of all time, the sport’s governing body, World Rugby, has released a roadmap for the future of the game.
The study – the most comprehensive of its type – highlights five game-changing focus areas that will help propel women’s rugby to ever greater heights.
Catch up on all the detail here.
6. Relive the wild history of Women’s RWC
From sleeping on the floor to playing in front of packed out stadiums, the Women’s Rugby World Cup has come a seriously long way since 1991.
Enjoy a fascinating sweep through the history of the tournament – punctuated with great visuals and endlessly entertaining anecdotes – courtesy of the BBC.
Who will match the mighty Black Ferns (below) and lift the Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy in 39 days in a rocking Allianz Stadium?
