The planet’s best female rugby players are entering the final straight ahead of Rugby World Cup 2025. Here’s what you need to know:
1. New Zealand name final pre-RWC squad
The two-time reigning Rugby World Cup holders New Zealand have named a 33-strong squad for their final warm-up matches ahead of RWC 2025.
Headlines from the group who will first play a trial match against a Black Ferns XV on 5 July before taking on Australia on 12 July include:
- Four changes from the victorious Pacific Four Series squad
- Returns for experienced backs Kelly Brazier and Renee Holmes
- Alana Bremner stepping up as co-captain alongside Ruahei Demant
- Laura Bayfield and Mia Anderson in line for possible debuts
2. Hosts England head to Italy for last training camp
England, the team New Zealand have beaten in the past two RWC finals, are also entering the very final stages of their preparations for RWC 2025.
Having been in camp in England for a month, the world No.1 ranked side is heading to Treviso, Italy for some work in the sun.
With temperatures set to rise beyond 30 degrees Celsius, head coach John Mitchell has promised the team’s “most uncomfortable training camp of all”.
3. Blow for France as Sansus suspended for RWC opener
France’s talismanic scrum-half Bourdon Sansus will miss her nation’s first Rugby World Cup 2025 match against Italy on 23 August, after being suspended for two matches following her comments on refereeing standards in France’s Elite 1 club competition.
Sansus, who was nominated for World Rugby’s 2024 Player of the year award, will also miss France’s final World Cup warm-up match versus England on 9 August.
It is a challenge for the world No.4 ranked side, with Sansus lighting up the 2025 Women’s Six Nations, not least with this magical drop goal:
Sansus will return for France’s second Pool D match against Brazil on 31 August.
4. Boost for Australia as Duck, McKenzie & Moleka star
Australia got more than just a boost in confidence from their A team completing a comfortable 50-22 RWC 2025 warm-up victory over Samoa at the weekend.
Indeed, not only did experienced duo Piper Duck and Arabella McKenzie look lively in their first international appearances of the year, but teenager Manu’a Moleka touched down twice to stake a claim for a promotion to the big time.
Former skipper Duck had not played for the Wallaroos since July 2024, while playmaker McKenzie had also been out of the international limelight all year.
Next up for Australia is a two-match home series versus Wales, starting 26 July.
5. Canada & South Africa ready for double-header
World No.2 ranked side Canada have trimmed their initial pre-RWC 2025 training squad from 38 players down to 32 for their up-coming two-match tour to South Africa.
Highlights include a first tour for sevens star Carissa Norsten – named the HSBC SVNS Series Rookie of the Year in 2024. Plus a debut for rising youngster Taylor McKnight.
South Africa meanwhile have assembled a highly experienced squad, ready to take on the in-form Canadians on 5 July, and again a week later.
Just four players (three forwards and one back) of the 26-strong squad did not travel to New Zealand for RWC 2021, with Nolusindiso Booi – South Africa’s most experienced player of all-time – captaining.
6. Kildunne & Reed deliver ultimate fan guides to York & Bristol
If you are heading to either York (six Pool stage matches) or Bristol (both semi-finals and two quarter-finals) to catch some Rugby World Cup 2025 action, we have what you need.
Check out Ellie Kildunne’s exclusive guide to hometown York.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year has revealed her favourite places to go pre-match, the key rugby pubs, the must-do tourist attractions and more.
And in a similar vein, Bristol Bears legend, and RWC 2014 winner Amber Reed has delivered the inside track on Bristol.
From where to watch subsequent RWC matches on TV to which community rugby clubs deserve a visit, these guides have it all.
7. Heat guidelines in place for RWC 2025
England may not always be associated with sunshine and scorching temperatures but World Rugby has made it clear, they are prepared should a heatwave hit the RWC 2025 hosts in August and September.
From introducing water breaks to extending half-time, there are a host of measures in place.
8. New docuseries on USA’s Ilona Maher
Ilona Maher’s star continues to rise.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games bronze medallist already has more than eight million followers across social media, has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and now Maher is to feature in a docuseries, made by Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon’s documentary company, Hello Sunshine.
Next stop – she hopes – is England versus USA in Pool A on 22 August. You can be there.
9. Player spotlight: Wales’ versatile Courtney Keight
Not many players have appeared at wing, full-back and centre in the space of their first 20 international caps, but Wales’ Courtney Keight has always been a bit different.
A former netballer, the 27-year-old did not discover her true rugby skills until her university days. But she has been making up for lost time since and is now hungrily eying up her first Rugby World Cup appearance.
Not even a mega sand dune can stop her…
10. Team spotlight: fast-rising Ireland
Ireland were not even at RWC 2021. Now, the emerald green team sit fifth in the world rankings – behind only the four semifinalists from three years ago – have a recent victory over six-time world champions New Zealand in their back pocket and boast 2024’s World Breakthrough Player of the Year, Erin King, in their ranks.
It is a remarkable story.
Not many are going to fancy facing the Pool C team, who appear to be speeding through the gears.
11. Rugby World Cup Replay: Woodman-Wickliffe’s first and last
It is a stunning 20 Rugby World Cup tries and counting for New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
Seen by many as the GOAT, Wales fans might want to look away as here is her first ever effort, recorded at RWC 2017 and her most recent, in the RWC 2021 quarter-finals. Both were against the women in red.
How many more will she get?