World Rugby revamps international calendar after record-breaking Women’s World Cup
It was intriguing to hear World Rugby unveil its plans for the future of the international game last night, a revamped WXV Global Series seeing the governing body cede a degree of control over the schedule to the top 12 unions as they look to sustain the growth shown at this World Cup. It is hoped that certainty of fixtures on offer will encourage unions to invest in the lead-up to the next tournament in Australia in 2029.
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 17:40
Scotland and Australia’s parting words show the rocky landscape beyond the Women’s World Cup
We’ll be back to the build-up to this first semi-final in a moment, but the parting messages of Scotland and Australia last week served as a reminder of the challenging landscape in which women’s rugby continues to operate. Both Rachel Malcolm and Siokapesi Palu, the captains of the two nations, used their final press conferences of the tournament to call for more investment from their unions with the future rather uncertain for both:
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 17:30
The super-strengths and superstar that make Canada World Cup contenders
Canada, meanwhile, were outstanding in the first half of their outing against Australia – with Sophie de Goede back to her almost peerless best:
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 17:20
How New Zealand reached the last four
There were, perhaps, a few signs of weakness in New Zealand’s quarter-final win over South Africa, the Springboks Women’s heavy ball retention strategy and unorthodox tactics causing the Black Ferns plenty of problems in the first half. But the second half surge showed just how dangerous the world champions are:
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 17:10
How Canada can end New Zealand’s reign in Women’s World Cup semi-final spectacular
New Zealand tend to get things right for World Cups, the Black Ferns making a habit of peaking for the major tournament they have won six times before. But there is genuine belief in the Canadian ranks that they can end their defence tonight – and with good reason, too…
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 17:00
It’s semi-final weekend at the Women’s World Cup, two cracking contests in store as rivalries reignite on the sport’s biggest stage. It could be a wild weekend in Bristol, and we kick off with defending champions New Zealand taking on a Canadian side that beat the Black Ferns for the first time last year. Both teams have promised to play with pace and leave everything out there – this could be very fun indeed.
Kick off at Ashton Gate is at 7pm BST.
Sylvia Brunt’s last-minute try snatched a draw against Canada earlier this year (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle19 September 2025 08:34