Quarter-final officials unveiled
World Rugby has announced that the four most-capped female match officials in test history will take charge of the quarter-finals in Exeter and Bristol this weekend, as Sara Cox, Hollie Davidson, Aimee Barrett-Theron and Aurélie Groizeleau get the nod.
Cox will referee the first quarter-final between defending champions New Zealand and South Africa in her hometown of Exeter, a week on from becoming the first woman in history to referee 50 test matches.
Davidson will referee Saturday’s other quarter-final between Pool B winners Canada and Australia, while Barrett-Theron will take charge of the first of two all-European quarter-finals on Sunday between France and Ireland at Sandy Park.
The last of the quarter-finals, between hosts England and Scotland in Bristol, will see Aurélie Groizeleau referee a Women’s Rugby World Cup knockout match for the first time in her career.
Lana Skeldon in the frame
Things you may know about Lana Skeldon: she’s the most capped hooker in Scotland history and has featured in two out of three of Scotland’s games so far at Rugby World Cup 2025. Something you may not know about Lana Skeldon: she’s a talented photographer as well.
With Scotland heading to Bristol to the quarter-finals, where Skeldon plays for the Bears, the team will be able to see the 31-year-old’s work on display at St George’s heritage space in Great George Street.
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Curtain falls on three historic weeks in York
More than 38,000 rugby fans descended upon the York Community Stadium across three weekends to watch the world’s biggest stars perform on rugby’s biggest stage.
Spectators in week one were treated to powerhouse displays by world number two and three teams Canada and New Zealand respectively. Canada’s Julia Schell scored six tries in 22 sensational second-half minutes against Fiji before Portia Woodman-Wickliffe extended her own mark for most tries in Rugby World Cup history as the Black Ferns kicked off their title defence against Spain.
Week two produced two of the tournament’s most entertaining games: Australia and the USA drew 31-31 drew in front of a sell-out crowd, then South Africa overcame Italy to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
After USA eased past Samoa on Saturday, York’s run ended the following day when Japan edged out Spain, with Mastercard Player of the Match Sora Nishimura perfectly summing up the mood: “I heard everyone’s voices on the field. Everyone’s support has pushed me. I am really grateful.”
History-making Mpupha back in Exeter
This weekend Zintle Mpupha is returning to the place where she made history four years ago. In 2021 Mpupha became the first South African to compete in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition in the UK when she signed for the Exeter Chiefs.
And this week South Africa face New Zealand in the quarter-finals at Sandy Park, home of the Chiefs.
“It’s really special to come back to Exeter Chiefs, this time around wearing green and gold which makes it more special,” she said.
“Exeter is very small, but the community itself really loves their women’s rugby.”
And finally… Canada celebrates milestone trio
Brittany Kassil and Courtney O’Donnell reached their 50th caps for Canada in their victory over Scotland over the weekend, while Tyson Beukeboom became the most capped Canadian rugby in history as she won her 81st. Huge milestones being reached on the biggest stage!
“To reach my 50th cap, especially alongside two of my best friends Tyson, who became the most-capped Canadian male or female, and Brittany Kassil, who also got her 50th, was awesome,” said O’Donnell.
Assistant coach Iain Monaghan said: “Every time we have these milestones, you really get the sense of the history, and that’s the spirit of Canadian rugby. It comes from the club and grassroots level, and everyone’s laced into it, and that fuels the player’s desires.”