All you need to know for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England
Friday, 22 August 2025
The Black Ferns are in England to defend their Rugby World Cup title in the 10th edition of the women’s game’s showpiece tournament.
Here is everything you need to know.
When is the Women’s Rugby World Cup?
The opening game is held in Sunderland between hosts England and the United States on Saturday, August 23 (NZ time).
The tournament will span six weeks and Twickenham stages the final on Sunday, September 28 (NZ time).
Where is it being staged?
Eight venues across England will host matches in what is forecast to be the best-attended women’s World Cup since it began in Wales in 1991. England hosted once before, in 2010.
Twickenham, with its capacity of about 82,000, could be sold out for the final in London in what would be a record crowd for women’s rugby.
Sunderland and Brighton are two other host cities. Bristol, Exeter, Northampton, Manchester and York, with smaller venues with capacities from 8,500 to 26,000, are also staging fixtures.
How can I follow the tournament?
Stuff will have coverage of the Black Ferns’ progress, with live blogs, reports, stories, reaction and analysis from all of their games, while following the rest of the tournament as it unfolds.
All 32 matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport. Free-to-air channel Sky Open will show a selection of key matches live or delayed.
When do the Black Ferns play?
Starting with three pool matches, the Black Ferns are all but certain to progress to the knockout stages against outmatched Spain and Japan teams.
August 25, 4:30am: Spain at York Community Stadium, York
September 1, 1am: Japan at Sandy Park, Exeter
September 8, 1:45am: Ireland at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton and Hove
Quarterfinals TBC: September 14 or 15 at Sandy Park, Exeter
Semifinals TBC: September 20 or 21 at Ashton Gate, Bristol
Final TBC: September 28 at Twickenham, London
What is the Black Ferns’ World Cup record?
There are few teams in international sport who can boast such a formidable record.
The Black Ferns have won six World Cups in eight appearances, only missing the 1994 tournament in Scotland that England won for their first title.
In fact, the Black Ferns have been world champions in six of the past seven tournaments since 1998 and have never lost in the final, beating England on five occasions in the decider.
England were the only other winners in that stretch with their second World Cup success in France in 2014.
The Kiwis have won the two World Cups since in Belfast in 2017, then again in that epic night in 2022 when they stunned England 34-31 in Auckland.
How many nations take part, who made the cut?
The tournament has expanded from 12 to 16 teams. The only new nation making their debut will be Brazil. Samoa are also returning for the first time since 2014.
What’s the format, who’s in what pool?
There are four pools of four teams. The top two from each progress to the quarterfinals before the semifinals and the final. There is also a bronze medal match for the losing semifinalists.
If results go as expected, the Black Ferns would avoid England until the final and will likely face Canada in the semifinals.
Pool A: England, Australia, United States, Samoa.
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji.
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain.
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil.
Who are the bookies’ favourites?
England are huge favourites to win the title on home soil at $1.40 with the TAB.
Led by former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, the Red Roses have won 57 of their last 58 tests.
Allan Bunting’s Black Ferns are second favourites at $3.50, followed by Canada ($7) and France ($12).
Those four nations are the only teams with a genuine chance of lifting the trophy. Ireland are fifth favourites but at an improbable $41.
The Black Ferns dropped to third in the world rankings after defeats last year to Canada, England (twice) and Ireland.
Who made the Black Ferns’ squad?
Coach Bunting named a 32-strong squad with Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu as co-captains, the pair who led them to victory three years ago at Eden Park.
The big omission was Ruby Tui, the star of their 2022 campaign, while veteran Kelly Brazier is set to play in her fourth World Cup.
Brazier, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe have already won two World Cups.
Jorja Miller and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane are playing at their first World Cup after switching from sevens.
The youngest member of the squad is 18-year-old fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Props: Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko.
Hookers: Vici-Rose Green, Atlanta Lolohea, Georgia Ponsonby.
Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos.
Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu.
Halfbacks: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.
First-fives: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant.
Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka.
Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.