The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup begins on Saturday when hosts England play USA at the Stadium of Light. Here’s all you need to know about the tenth edition of the World Cup.

Black Ferns schedule

Monday 25 August

Black Ferns v Spain, 4.30am, York Community Stadium

Monday, September 1

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 prop

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)

Hooker

Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests)

Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests)

Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests)

Tighthead prop

Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests)

Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test)

Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests)

Second row

Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 Test)

Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 Tests)

Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 Tests)

Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 Tests)

Back row

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Tests)

Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 Tests)

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

Halfback

Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests)

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)

Centre

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)

Wing / fullback

Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 Tests)

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

1998 - New Zealand

2002 - New Zealand

2006 - New Zealand

2010 - New Zealand

2014 - England

2017 - New Zealand

2021 - New Zealand

2025 Rugby World Cup pools

Pool A

England

Australia

USA

Samoa

Pool B

Canada

Scotland

Wales

Fiji

Pool C

New Zealand

Ireland

Japan

Spain

Pool D

France

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.

A detailed view of the new Women's Rugby World Cup Trophy. Photo / World Rugby Images

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday September 20

Semifinal 1 (Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 6am

Sunday September 21

Semifinal 2 (Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 2.30am

Saturday September 27

Bronze Final, Twickenham (London), 11.30pm

Sunday September 28

Final, Twickenham (London), 3am