USA miss out on points difference

USA were the ones to miss out on progression from Pool A despite their victory over Samoa in York, with Australia getting through on points difference after their defeat by England in Brighton. The Wallaroos will face Canada in the quarter-finals after the Canadians beat Scotland in their final Pool B game, pitting the Scots against England in the quarters.

New Zealand were victorious against Ireland in Brighton on Sunday, meaning they have topped Pool C and will face Pool D’s runner-ups South Africa after the Springbok Women lost out to France in their pool decider. The French will play Ireland for a chance to face the winner of the quarter-final between England and Scotland.

Click here for the full line-up of the quarter-finals and the route to the final at the Allianz in London. 

We say farewell to eight teams

USA are one of eight teams we have sadly had to say goodbye to at Rugby World Cup 2025, with all of them providing a lifetime of memories during their respective campaigns in the biggest festival of women’s rugby in history.

Samoa join USA in losing out on a knockout spot in Pool A, while in Pool B there was a classic finale between Fiji and Wales, with the Fijiana coming out victors in a closely fought affair.

Spain and Japan both knew they could not progress from Pool C, but that did not stop them from serving up a thrilling final outing in York, with the Japanese fighting back for an impressive victory.

Meanwhile, Italy and Brazil provided flair on and off the pitch – who can forget the moment Bianca Silva ghosted through the French defence for Brazil’s first ever try at a Rugby World Cup? – and will be notable absentees from the remainder of the tournament as those who missed out on progression from Pool D.

Sold-out signs go up all over the country

The final games of the pool stage were sell-outs as fans flocked to Brighton and Hove, Exeter and Northampton to see their favourite teams and players in action, proving once again that this tournament continues to reach new heights in this sport week after week.

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was one of those in attendance in Brighton and Hove over the weekend. She enjoyed the party atmosphere as much as anyone, and even got involved in the Mexican wave that broke out.

And after the game she was the lucky recipient of one of Abby Dow’s famous crochet gifts!

All hail the hattrick heroes

The Black Ferns’ Braxton Sorensen-McGee ran riot in Brighton on Sunday, scoring three tries (again!) as she continued her impressive form at #RWC2025 to help propel New Zealand into the quarter-finals as top seeds.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi of Italy was the other to score three tries in the final weekend of pool play, with her scores helping Italy see out the tournament with a victory over Brazil.

It means Sorensen-McGee is now tied at the top for the most tries at Rugby World Cup 2025, along with the incredible Julia Schell, who scored all six of her tries against Fiji in Canada’s tournament opener.

There is a certain English winger and two others who join them with six tries in total for the tournament. Intrigued? Click here for all the top stats at #RWC2025.

And finally… welcome to Bristol!

With the pool stages at an end, we don’t just say goodbye to some teams, we also say goodbye to some venues. Sunderland, York, Manchester, Northampton, and Brighton and Hove have all warmly embraced the fans of this Rugby World Cup with open arms, and we thank them for that.

Sunderland provided a carnival atmosphere at the iconic tournament opener, while Brighton and Hove arrived a little later to the party but still captured the hearts of those who visited.

However, when one door closes another opens – and that is the door to Bristol! A sports-mad part of the country, players and fans alike are going to love the city, which will host Saturday’s quarter-final between Canada and Australia as well as Sunday’s showdown between Six Nations rivals England and Scotland.

Click here for Amber Reed’s guide on everything you need to know ahead of those mouth-watering matches in Bristol.