And then there were four
The semi-final line-ups for Rugby World Cup 2025 have been decided and we are in for a couple of thrilling showdowns in Bristol this weekend! On Friday, six-time champions New Zealand take on a Canada side still in search of their first title. The Black Ferns were 46-17 winners against South Africa in their quarter-final in Exeter, while Canada beat Australia 46-5 in Bristol.
On Saturday, France take on tournament hosts England, who are the only team to feature in every Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals in history. The French were 18-13 victors over Ireland in Exeter, while England saw off old rivals Scotland 40-8 in their quarter-final in Bristol.
It means the top four teams in the world will do battle this weekend for a chance to play in a sold-out final at the Allianz Stadium on 27 September.
Sad farewells for the others
For every team that celebrates a quarter-final win, there’s another suffering after a loss that ends their tournament. In some cases, like South Africa’s 40-year-old captain Nolusindiso Booi, and Scottish pair Jade Konkel and Lisa Cockburn, the end of the road for their international careers.
There are also some coaching departures. Jo Yapp has now left the Wallaroos following their loss to Canada, while Bryan Easson brought down the curtain on his time with Scotland following defeat by England.
“They’re a special bunch, they deserve everything that they’ve fought for, and I’m sure they’ll keep fighting,” he said of the Scotland players. “It’s been a real privilege for me to work with them.”
‘Like the Six Nations on steroids’
Rugby World Cup 2025 has already smashed attendance records across the board, and the crowds just keep on coming. On Sunday, 11,618 squeezed into Sandy Park in Exeter, while 25,295 made the journey to Bristol’s Ashton Gate.
“The support we’ve had over this campaign is second to none, it’s like being on steroids compared to the Six Nations,” said Ireland’s Aoibheann Reilly.
The final at the Allianz Stadium on 27 September is already a sell-out – more than 80,000 will be in attendance to watch the biggest game in the history of women’s rugby. If you missed out on a ticket to that, the good news is you can still buy semi-final tickets! Click here for New Zealand v Canada, or here to buy tickets for France v England.
De Goede bringing the goods
There were many impressive performance over the weekend, but a couple need to be highlighted. Aoife Wafer, who was making her tournament debut after recovering from surgery, made 26 carries against France in Exeter – the most by a single player in a game at Rugby World Cup 2025.
Though Ireland’s exit will be have been heart-breaking, Wafer can leave the tournament assured that she completely emptied the tank for her side’s cause.
Sophie de Goede, meanwhile, is Ms Consistency. She is the only player to have made 10 or more carries as well as score points in all four of her team’s games this tournament. Turns out having a rampaging second-row who can kick for goal is pretty useful!
And finally… ‘Dear Rachel…’
On Sunday, Rachel Malcolm led the Scotland team out as captain for the 53rd time, a feat unmatched by any man or woman leading Scotland’s rugby team.
To mark her achievement, her father penned a letter which she read out in an emotional video that you can see below: