Pool A<\/p>\n
England are red-hot favourites to top their pool and to lift the silverware as hosts thanks to their unstoppable form. They have not lost since the 2022 World Cup final<\/a> and in April added a seventh consecutive Six Nations title<\/a> to their trophy cabinet, scoring 256 points in their five matches on the way to the title.<\/p>\n They were, however, in equally ruthless form before the last two World Cups only to be beaten by New Zealand in both finals. Whether they can get over the final hurdle remains to be seen but there can be little doubt about the victories they will achieve during the pool stage.<\/p>\n The Red Roses, ranked No 1 in the world by a wide margin, have not lost a World Cup pool match in the history of the women\u2019s tournament which began in 1991. A 13-13 draw against Canada in 2014 is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record, and that year they went on to lift the trophy.<\/p>\n Australia, the United States and Samoa will all try to inflict an unlikely first defeat on England at this stage of the competition but, barring a huge upset, those three nations will be fighting for the remaining qualification spot alongside the hosts.<\/p>\n Based on rankings most would expect Australia to join the Red Roses. The Wallaroos have reached only one World Cup semi-final previously \u2013 in 2010 \u2013 but moved up to No 6 in the world rankings at the start of August.<\/p>\n The US, meanwhile, have boosted their squad with former sevens talent, in their case the world\u2019s most-followed rugby player on social media. Ilona Maher switched to the 15s game with a move to Bristol Bears in January and the centre has earned a spot in the squad.<\/p>\n Crowds will be big at the US games with spectators clambering to get a glimpse of Maher \u2013 the Eagles\u2019 warm-up game against Canada in Ottawa brought in a crowd of 11,453, a record for a standalone women\u2019s game in North America. Others to look out for include Maher\u2019s centre colleague Alev Kelter \u2013 often a game-changer for her team \u2013 and captain Kate Zackary, the back-row who brings playing prowess and leadership qualities.<\/p>\n Jess Breach takes a selfie with her teammates during the England squad announcement at Twickenham. Photograph: Harry Murphy\/RFU\/The RFU Collection\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Australia and the US have their own rivalry from competing in the Pacific Four Series. In May, Australia ran out 27-19 winners<\/a> and US will want to avenge that defeat at the World Cup, with the showdown in York on 30 August likely to decide who goes through to the last eight.<\/p>\n Samoa will need more than one upset to progress as the lowest-ranked team in the pool. They have never reached the knockout stage and that again feels out of reach, but if they are able to land a blow on any of their opponents, it will represent a huge victory.<\/p>\n England<\/p>\n World ranking (as of 4 Aug) 1 Coach John Mitchell Captain Zoe Aldcroft<\/p>\n Key player: Zoe Aldcroft Competition within the Red Roses squad increases every year with world-class stars from 1-23, but the captain was the only player to retain her starting shirt throughout this year\u2019s Six Nations. She was already a stalwart for England before being given the captaincy but the role has only added to her presence on the pitch. Watch out for Aldcroft at the breakdown but also in open play; her individual try against Scotland in the Six Nations<\/a> exemplified how clinical she can be with ball in hand.<\/p>\n Australia<\/p>\n World ranking 6 Coach Jo Yapp Captain Siokapesi Palu<\/p>\n Key player: Tabua Tuinakauvadra The No8 has grown into the role since making her debut in 2023. This will be her first Rugby World Cup but her impact on pitch is regularly felt for the Wallaroos. She scored two tries in Australia\u2019s second game against Wales in early August. She is a star that can do both, all of the hard work in the background that goes unnoticed but can also produce performances that grabs headlines.<\/p>\n Tabua Tuinakauvadra of the Wallaroos attempts to power through the Wales defence in July. Photograph: Albert Perez\/Getty ImagesUSA<\/p>\n World ranking 10 Coach Sione Fukofuka Captain Kate Zackary<\/p>\n Key player: Alev Kelter Kelter had a top-level college career in ice hockey and football (soccer) \u2013 playing internationally in both at youth level \u2013 before switching to rugby as her ambitions to make the US team for the Sochi Olympics dwindled. A sculpture and glassblowing graduate, she became the first American woman to score a sevens try at the Olympics and has made a name for herself in English domestic rugby with Loughborough Lightning. The centre has showcased her ability to spot space and break the line on the club and international stage. Sent off in a Pacific Four match against Australia in May for stamping.<\/p>\n Samoa<\/p>\n World ranking 15 Coach Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino Captain Sua Pauaraisa<\/p>\n Key player: Sua Pauaraisa All 32 players in the squad are set to make their World Cup debuts but they are captained by an experienced leader in Masuisuimatamaalii (aka Sua) Tauaua Pauaraisa. She has also played sevens and rugby league and is excited to take her country into their first World Cup since 2014, saying: \u201cI am thrilled to lead this team of passionate women and we will do our best to represent our beloved Samoa.\u201d<\/p>\n Fixtures Cassie Siataga of Samoa on the attack against Netherlands at WXV 3 in 2024. Photograph: Christopher Pike\/World Rugby\/Getty ImagesPool B<\/p>\n Canada are the tournament\u2019s dark horses, flying under the radar despite their impressive form, and are more than capable of winning the World Cup for the first time.<\/p>\n The England wing Jess Breach, who has never lost an international match, said the Red Roses\u2019 WXV encounter with Canada last October was the first time she worried she was about to lose, though England eventually battled to a 21-12 victory. Canada were also impressive in the Pacific Four Series, beating the US and Australia, and drawing 27-27 with the Black Ferns.<\/p>\n A 42-10 win over the US in their final warm-up game before heading to Europe suggests they are a side in fine form and they are finally beginning to get the financial backing their talent deserves: a Rugby Canada fundraising campaign \u2013 named \u201cMission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025\u201d \u2013 aimed at closing the budget gap between them and their rivals, is closing in on its C$1m (\u00a3545,000 ) target. They should top the pool with the second knockout spot likely to go to Scotland or Wales.<\/p>\n Wales took a second consecutive wooden spoon in the Six Nations but showed what they are capable of with a 21-12 win against Australia<\/a> in Brisbane in the buildup, even if that was followed by a 36-5 defeat<\/a> in Sydney.<\/p>\n They are recovering from off-field controversy that almost resulted in the union withdrawing the team from the tournament. The threat came from the WRU over contract negotiations but that issue appears to have been resolved.<\/p>\n Sean Lynn has taken charge after winning the English domestic league \u2013 the PWR \u2013 for three seasons in a row with Gloucester-Hartpury. They begin against familiar opposition in Scotland. The two sides met at the last World Cup, when a last-minute Keira Bevan penalty gave Wales victory and put them on course for the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s Florence Symonds (13) celebrates her try with teammates Fancy Bermudez (14), left, Julia Schell (15), against the US in August. Photograph: The Canadian Press\/Alamy<\/p>\n This time Scotland will be favourites but games between them continue to be close. Most recently, in the Six Nations, Scotland came out 24-21 winners in a game that could have gone either way.<\/p>\n Scotland\u2019s head coach, Bryan Easson, will depart following the tournament after five years in charge. The reasons for his exit are unclear, but he has called the job \u201cthe greatest honour of my coaching career\u201d. Meanwhile the captain, Rachel Malcolm, in July highlighted the \u201cvery disruptive\u201d buildup to the tournament, with players facing uncertainty over their contracts after the summer.<\/p>\n Fiji sensationally beat South Africa at the last World Cup but their recent form has been disappointing. They registered only one win at WXV3 \u2013 against Hong Kong China \u2013 while losing to Spain and Samoa. Their best chance of getting a result will be against Wales, but they will find it difficult not to finish bottom.<\/p>\n Canada<\/p>\n World ranking 2 Coach K\u00e9vin Rouet Captain Alex Tessier<\/p>\n Key player: Sophie de Goede A long-time servant and highly capable leader, De Goede is one of the best players in the world. The 26-year-old \u2013 who keeps her match ticket from the final in 2014, when Canada lost to England, in her dressing table \u2013 possesses quick decision making and plenty of pace, making her a vital cog in the Canadian machine. She has recently recovered from a serious knee injury, so may not be in peak condition early on, but remains vital to the team.<\/p>\n Scotland<\/p>\n World ranking 8 Coach Bryan Easson Captain Rachel Malcolm<\/p>\n Key player: Francesca McGhie The wing is one of the fastest players at the tournament \u2013 if any of Scotland\u2019s opponents give her an inch she will take a mile. The 22-year-old, who has recently signed for Trailfinders from Leicester Tigers, made her mark during the Women\u2019s Six Nations<\/a> and will aim to do the same at her first Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n Scotland\u2019s Emma Orr on her way to scoring her side\u2019s second try against Wales in the 2025 Six Nations. Photograph: Steve Welsh\/PAWales<\/p>\n World ranking 9 Coach Sean Lynn Co-captains Alex Callender, Kate Williams<\/p>\n Key player: Jasmine Joyce-Butchers The Bristol Bears wing is a three-time Olympian with Great Britain who has also competed at the Commonwealth Games and two previous World Cups, making her one of the most experienced players at the tournament. She is versatile, being able to play as a full-back or wing, and has electric pace though she is also committed in defence. Her wife Alisha is also a Wales international but is missing the tournament as she is pregnant with the couple\u2019s first child.<\/p>\n Fiji<\/p>\n World ranking 14 Coach Ioan Cunningham Captain Alfreda Fisher<\/p>\n Key player: Alfreda Fisher The 20-year-old became Fiji\u2019s youngest women\u2019s captain in May against Australia. Fisher, who grew up in the village of Togo on the tiny islet of Qamea, made her debut for the 15s side at WXV 3 in 2024 but has quickly become one of the first names on the teamsheet. Fiji\u2019s head coach, Ioan Cunningham, said of the star: \u201cShe\u2019s been a standout individual, leading by example.\u201d<\/p>\n Fixtures Fiji\u2019s Alfreda Fisher is tackled by US\u2019s Tahlia Brody during an international in July. Photograph: Alex Brandon\/APPool C<\/p>\n The defending champions New Zealand, six-time World Cup winners, are among the favourites to lift the trophy at Twickenham and should find their pool straightforward.<\/p>\n Their options in the back three are so good that Ruby Tui \u2013 breakout star of their success last time around<\/a> \u2013 did not make the squad. Among the wings is the speedy Ayesha Leti-I\u2019iga who scored two tries in the 2022 final against England. Anything other than smooth progress to the latter stages would be a surprise.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week’s action reviewed<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/a>. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Those looking for signs of a shock could point to their 27-27 draw with Canada in May\u2019s Pacific Four Series and the fact that Ireland are known for being a thorn in the Black Ferns\u2019 side.<\/p>\n They were the only team to beat them during the 2014 Rugby World Cup with a 17-14 pool stage win \u2013 the New Zealanders\u2019 first (and only) defeat at the tournament since 1991 \u2013 and more recently, at WXV last October, Ireland edged a 29-27 victory that shocked the sport, Erin King\u2019s 79th-minute try and Dannah O\u2019Brien\u2019s conversion clinching a stunning result.<\/p>\n New Zealand, though, have a habit of peaking at World Cups and while Ireland\u2019s form has improved in the past year, they have lost King and flanker Dorothy Wall with long-term injuries. They are also likely be without their star player, Aoife Wafer, for the start of the tournament.<\/p>\n The back-row had knee surgery in July and is in a race to be fit with coaches not expecting her to feature until their final pool game against the Black Ferns. The positive news for Scott Bemand\u2019s side is Sam Monaghan\u2019s recovery from an ACL injury.<\/p>\n New Zealand\u2019s Ayesha Leti-I\u2019iga scored two tries in the 2022 final against England. Photograph: Australian Associated Press\/Alamy<\/p>\n The Six Nations was a mixed bag, with comfortable wins over Italy and Wales, predictable defeats by England and France and a surprise loss to Scotland. Still, bonus points meant Ireland finished third behind Europe\u2019s two heavyweights.<\/p>\n
England v USA Fri 22 Aug, 7.30pm, Sunderland
Australia v Samoa Sat 23 Aug, noon, Salford
England v Samoa Sat 30 Aug, 5pm, Northampton
USA v Australia Sat 30 Aug, 7.30pm, York
USA v Samoa Sat 6 Sep, 1.30pm, York
England v Australia Sat 6 Sep, 5pm, Brighton<\/p>\n
Scotland v Wales Sat 23 Aug, 2.45pm, Salford
Canada v Fiji Sat 23 Aug, 5.30pm, York
Canada v Wales Sat 30 Aug, noon, Salford
Scotland v Fiji Sat 30 Aug, 2.45pm, Salford
Canada v Scotland Sat 6 Sep, noon, Exeter
Wales v Fiji Sat 6 Sep, 2.45pm, Exeter<\/p>\n