The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup begins on Saturday when hosts England play the USA at the Stadium of Light. Here’s all you need to know about the 10th edition of the World Cup.
Women’s Rugby World Cup: Squads, full schedule, how to watch – all you need to know
NZ Herald
10 mins to read
Subscribe to listen
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
The Black Ferns celebrate their win in the last Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Black Ferns v Japan, 1.00am, Sandy Park, Exeter
Monday, September 8
Black Ferns v Ireland, 1.45am, Brighton Hove and Albion Stadium
Black Ferns squad
Forwards
Loosehead props
Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 tests)
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 7 tests)
Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 13 tests)
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Hookers
Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 tests)
Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 tests)
Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 tests)
Tighthead props
Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 tests)
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 test)
Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 tests)
Locks
Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 test)
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 tests)
Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 tests)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 tests)
Loose forwards
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 tests)
Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 tests)
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū, Manawatū, 12 tests)
Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 14 tests)
Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 30 tests)
Backs
Halfbacks
Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 tests)
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 tests)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Tasman, 2 tests)
First five-eighths
Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 tests)
Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 tests)
Midfielders
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 25 tests)
Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 tests)
Theresa Setefano (30, Blues, Auckland, 19 tests)
Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 tests)
Wings/fullbacks
Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 tests)
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 tests)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 tests)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 17 tests)
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues, Northland, 27 tests)
Women’s Rugby World Cup winners
1991 – USA
1994 – England
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
1998 – New Zealand
2002 – New Zealand
2006 – New Zealand
2010 – New Zealand
2014 – England
2017 – New Zealand
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
2021 (2022 due to Covid) – New Zealand
2025 Rugby World Cup pools
Pool A
England
Australia
USA
Samoa
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Pool B
Canada
Scotland
Wales
Fiji
Pool C
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
New Zealand
Ireland
Japan
Spain
Pool D
France
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Italy
South Africa
Brazil
How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup
All the matches will be aired across Sky Sport and Sky Open. Every game is live on Sky Sport. The three Black Ferns pool games will be delayed on Sky Open while their potential semifinal and final will be live and free-to-air.
Squads
England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward.
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Australia squad
Forwards: Katalina Amosa, Bree-Anna Browne, Emily Chancellor, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Ashley Fernandez, Brianna Hoy, Asoiva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Tania Naden, Bridie O’Gorman, Siokapesi Palu, Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Backs: Lori Cramer, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Manu’a Moleka, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Caitlin Urwin, Samantha Wood.
Samoa squad
Forwards: Glory Aiono Samuelu, Utumalama Atonio, Joanna Fanene Lolo, Avau Filimaua, Nina Maria Foaese, Tori Iosefo, Madisen Jade Iva, Cathy Leuta, Ana Mamea, Faith Nonutunu, Christabelle Onesemo, Demielle Onesemo, Sinead Ryder, Ana-Lise Sio, Sui Pauaraisa, Ti Tauasosi, Jennifer Taylor.
Backs: Ana Afuie, Denise Aiolupotea, Lutia Col Aumua, Michelle Curry, Drenna Falaniko, Linda Fiafia, Davina Lasini, Saelua Leaula, Fa’asua Makisi, Taytana Pati Ah Cheung, Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, Melina Salale, Faalua Tugaga, Harmony Vatau, Karla Wright-Akeli.
United States squad
Forwards: Emerson Allen, Catie Benson, Tahlia Brody, Hope Cooper, Rachel Ehrecke, Charli Jacoby, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Rachel Johnson, Maya Learned, Alivia Leatherman, Georgie Perris-Redding, Hope Rogers, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Paige Stathopoulos, Freda Tafuna, Hallie Taufoou, Kathryn Treder, Kate Zackary.
Backs: Cassidy Bargell, Kristin Bitter, Gabby Cantorna, Erica Coulibaly, Cheta Emba, Nana Faavesi, Mckenzie Hawkins, Emily Henrich, Sariah Ibarra, Alev Kelter, Ilona Maher, Bulou Mataitoga, Olivia Ortiz, Charlotte Sharp.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Canada squad
Forwards: Tyson Beukeboom, Gillian Boag, Pamphinette Buisa, Caroline Crossley, Sophie de Goede, Olivia DeMerchant, Fabiola Forteza, McKinley Hunt, Brittany Kassil, Taylor McKnight, DaLeaka Menin, Maya Montiel, Mikiela Nelson, Courtney O’Donnell, Karen Paquin, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, Rachel Smith, Emily Tuttosi.
Backs: Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Alysha Corrigan, Paige Farries, Claire Gallagher, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Sarah-Maude Lachance, Justine Pelletier, Taylor Perry, Julia Schell, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier.
Fiji squad
Forwards: Jade Coates, Nunia Daunimoala, Alfreda Fisher, Manuqalo Komaitai, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Rusila Nagasau, Karalaini Naisewa, Mereoni Nakesa, Selai Naliva, Salaseini Railumu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Loraini Senivutu, Asinate Serevi, Bitila Tawake, Bulou Vasuturaga, Sulita Waisega, Carletta Yee.
Backs: Ema Adivitaloga, Ilisapeci Delaiwaau, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Salanieta Kinita, Kolora Rosi Lomani, Kelerayani Luvu, Salote Nailolo, Alowesi Nakoci, Josifini Neihamu, Setaita Railumu, Michella’e Stolz, Repeka Tove, Mere Vocevoce, Litiana Vueti.
Scotland squad
Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm, Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young.
Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Wales squad
Forwards: Katherine Baverstock, Alex Callender, Gwen Crabb, Maisie Davies, Georgia Evans, Abbie Fleming, Kelsey Jones, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Branwen Metcalfe, Carys Phillips, Alaw Pyrs, Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Tilly Vucaj, Kate Williams.
Backs: Keira Bevan, Carys Cox, Hannah Dallavalle, Meg Davies, Lleucu George, Jasmine Joyce, Courtney Keight, Kerin Lake, Seren Lockwood, Nel Metcalfe, Lisa Neumann, Kayleigh Powell, Catherine Richards.
Ireland squad
Forwards: Claire Boles, Beth Buttimer, Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri Fallon, Linda Djougang, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, Ivana Kiripati, Siobhán McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Edel McMahon, Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Niamh O’Dowd, Ellena Perry, Fiona Tuite, Aoife Wafer.
Backs: Enya Breen, Amee Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Méabh Deely, Stacey Flood, Nicole Fowley, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Anna McGann, Nancy McGillivray, Dannah O’Brien, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Molly Scuffil-McCabe.
Japan squad
Forwards: Kyoko Hosokawa, Sachiko Kato, Masami Kawamura, Wako Kitano, Ayumu Kokaji, Hinata Komaki, Sakurako Korai, Asuka Kuge, Miharu Machida, Manami Mine, Iroha Nagata, Nijiho Nagata, Jennifer Nduka, Seina Saito, Ayano Sakurai, Yuna Sato, Kotomi Taniguchi, Otoka Yoshimura.
Backs: Megumi Abe, Nao Ando, Mana Furuta, Sakurako Hatada, Haruka Hirotsu, Komachi Imakugi, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Kanako Kobayashi, Rinka Matsuda, Misaki Matsumura, Sora Nishimura, Ayasa Otsuka, Moe Tsukui, Minori Yamamoto.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Spain squad
Forwards: Lourdes Alameda, Inés Antolínez, Cristina Blanco, Sidorella Bracic, Alba Capell, Mónica Castelo, Mireia de Andrés, Laura Delgado, Eider García, Nerea García, Nuria Jou, Elena Martínez, Ana Peralta, Valentina Pérez, Lía Piñeiro, Anna Puig, Marieta Román, Victoria Rosell, Gemma Silva.
Backs: Maider Aresti, Amalia Argudo, Claudia Cano, Ana Cortés, Lea Ducher, Anne Fernández de Corres, Tecla Masoko, Claudia Peña, Claudia Pérez, Zahía Pérez, Clara Piquero, Bingbing Vergara, Alba Vinuesa.
Brazil squad
Forwards: Larissa Aleves, Franciele Barros, Camilla Ísis, Eshyllen Coimbra, Íris Coluna, Dayana Dakar, Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, Larissa Henwood, Natalia Jonck, Julia Leni Lima, Giovana Mamede, Letícia Medeiros, Taís Prioste, Ana Carolina Santana, Leticia Silva, Pamela Soares Santos, Mercelle Souza, Samara Vergara.
Backs: Giovanna Barth, Luiza Campos, Marina Fioravanti, Maria Gabriela Graf, Raquel Kochhann, Isadora Lopes, Aline Mayumi, Mariana Nicolau, Carolyne Katrine Pereira, Edna Santini, Bianca Silva, Leila Silva, Yasmim Soares, Fernanda Tenório.
France squad
Forwards: Makarita Baleinadogo, Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu, Manon Bigot, Allana Brosseau, Léa Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Annaëlle Deshaye, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall Raclot, Manae Feleu, Téani Feleu, Agathe Gérin, Hina Ikahehegi, Assia Khalfaoui, Taïna Maka, Marie Morland, Séraphine Okemba, Élisa Riffonneau.
Backs: Kelly Arbey, Carla Arbez, Émilie Boulard, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Morgane Bourgeois, Alexandra Chambon, Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Marine Menager, Carla Neisen, Lina Queyroi, Lina Tuy, Gabrielle Vernier.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Italy squad
Forwards: Ilaria Arrighetti, Giordana Duca, Valeria Fedrighi, Alessandra Frangipani, Elisa Giordano, Laura Gurioli, Isabella Locatelli, Gaia Maris, Alessia Pilani, Alissa Ranuccini, Sara Seye, Francesca Sgorbini, Desiree Spinelli, Emanuela Stecca, Sara Tounesi, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Beatrice Veronese.
Backs: Alia Bitonci, Gaia Buso, Beatrice Capomaggi, Giada Corradini, Alyssa D’Inca, Francesca Granzotto, Veronica Madia, Sara Mannini, Aura Muzzo, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Beatrice Rigoni, Michela Sillari, Sofia Stefan, Emma Stevanin.
South Africa squad
Forwards: Nolusindiso Booi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Luchell Hanekom, Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Danelle Lochner, Lerato Makua, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Nomsa Mokwai, Yonela Ngxingolo, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anathi Qolo, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke, Vainah Ubisi.
Backs: Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Tayla Kinsey, Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chumisa Qawe, Nadine Roos, Maceala Samboya, Unam Tose, Eloise Webb, Mary Zulu.
Full Rugby World Cup schedule
Pool Stage
Saturday August 23
England v USA, Pool A, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, 6.30am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Australia v Samoa, Pool A, Salford, 11pm
Sunday August 24
Scotland v Wales, Pool B, Salford, 1.45am
Canada v Fiji, Pool B, York, 4.30am
Ireland v Japan, Pool C, Northampton, 11pm
Monday August 25
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
South Africa v Brazil, Pool D, Northampton, 1.45am
New Zealand v Spain, Pool C, York, 4.30am
Saturday August 30
Canada v Wales, Pool B, Salford, 11pm
Sunday August 31
Scotland v Fiji, Pool B, Salford, 1.45 am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
England v Samoa, Pool A, Northampton, 4am
USA v Australia, Pool A, York, 6.30am
Ireland v Spain, Pool C, Northampton, 11pm
Monday September 1
New Zealand v Japan, Pool C, Exeter, 1am
Italy v South Africa, Pool D, York, 2.30am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
France v Brazil, Pool D, Exeter, 3.45am
Saturday September 6
Canada v Scotland, Pool B, Exeter, 11pm
Sunday September 7
USA v Samoa, Pool A, York, 12.30am
Wales v Fiji, Pool B, Exeter, 1.45am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
England v Australia, Pool A, Brighton, 4am
Japan v Spain, Pool C, York, 11pm
Monday September 8
New Zealand v Ireland, Pool C, Brighton, 1.45am
Italy v Brazil, Pool D, Northampton, 2am
France v South Africa, Pool D, Northampton, 4.45am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Knockout Stage
Sunday September 14
Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, quarter-final, Exeter, 12am
Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, quarter-final, Bristol, 3am
Monday September 15
Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, quarter-final, Exeter, 12am
Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, quarter-final, Bristol, 3am
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Saturday September 20
Semifinal 1 (Winner QF1 v Winner QF2), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 6am
Sunday September 21
Semifinal 2 (Winner QF3 v Winner QF4), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 2.30am
Saturday September 27
Bronze Final, Twickenham (London), 11.30pm
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Sunday September 28
Final, Twickenham (London), 3am