1. All you need to know ahead of the opening game
We have reached the opening day of Rugby World Cup 2025! We have a blockbuster five weeks of rugby ahead, culminating in the final at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 27 September.
Up first though, we have a thrilling opening clash between tournament hosts and number one-ranked side England, and USA, who are looking to make a big statement in their first outing at #RWC2025.
If you’re heading to the game, here’s a reminder of our guide to the city by Sarah Hunter, England’s RWC 2014 winning captain, current national team defence coach and most importantly a proud North-East native.
2. Inside look at the opening ceremony
All the teams at the tournament received a huge welcome upon arriving at the opening ceremony, with singing, laughing and dancing the order of the day.
While there will be plenty of tense moments on the pitch during #RWC2025, it’s already apparent that there will be friendships forged and cultures shared as well over the next few weeks.
The Wallaroos have posted a video where they take you behind the scenes in Manchester to see how it all unfolded.
3. Quickfire questions with Sariah Ibarra
In the latest edition of our Quickfire questions, we sat down with USA’s Sariah Ibarra.
Only 19 years old, Ibarra could well be making her Rugby World Cup debut today in a packed house in Sunderland as she has been named among the replacements.
We asked her about what it means to be in England, which country other than her own have the best fans, and what she would pick as her personal mascot.
Click here to read all about it.
4. Top ten players to follow on social media
Rugby World Cup 2025 isn’t just eliciting excitement on the pitch – it’s lighting up screens everywhere.
Today’s rugby stars are connecting with fans off the field in a whole new powerful and meaningful way on social media; sharing training insights, behind-the-scenes moments, TikTok trends (including dance moves!), Instagram reels and various glimpses of life off the field.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, RugbyPass has put together a list of ten players you should be following on social media to get the ultimate Rugby World Cup experience.
And yes, of course Ilona Maher leads the way! Here’s the full list.
5. Kiwis already have their hands on silverware!
A few weeks ago RugbyPass unveiled their list of the top 50 women’s rugby players, with New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe coming out on top.
With the Black Ferns GOAT now in England, RugbyPass took the opportunity to hand the legend her well-deserved trophy.
“You don’t go out there looking for these trophies. You don’t go out there wanting to be named best women’s rugby player in the world,” she said.
“You just go out there and do your job and when these moments come up, you take them and you acknowledge it and you’re very, very grateful for it.”
6. Saturday’s games headlined by Six Nations rivalries
After Friday’s opener, we will have four mouth-watering encounters across England as the pool stage kicks off in earnest. There are two matches featuring Six Nations opponents, with Scotland facing off against Wales in Manchester, and France taking on Italy in Exeter.
There’s also Canada’s first outing of the tournament against Fiji, which takes place in York, while Manchester will also play host to Australia’s match against Fiji.
Regardless of what happens tonight, we’re in for a real treat over the weekend as each of the teams take centre stage in the biggest women’s rugby tournament in history.