2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: Which coaches are staying or going?

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup was a monumental event that has forever changed the direction of the sport. But like any other sports tournament it ultimately ended with winners and losers.

For some, it brought glory and fame, while for others it ended in a world of hurt and disappointment, which led to changes of backroom staff.

So, who’s staying ahead of 2026? And who has left their post after the completion of the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup of all time?

England
Head coach: John Mitchell
Date of appointment: May 2023
Date of contract expiration: June 2026
Nationality: New Zealand
Biggest accomplishment: Rugby World Cup victory in 2025

Will John Mitchell extend his stay with the Red Roses side that took him to World Cup glory?

After England ascended to the game’s top seat, speculation arose about the New Zealander’s plans, with sides from the men’s game interested in giving the keys to their kingdom to Mitchell.

The ball is in England’s court and while there might be a few suitors keen on spending millions to sigh him, it seems Mitchell feels at home as England’s chess master, having led the team to 33 straight wins.

Canada
Head coach: Kévin Rouet
Date of appointment: March 2022
Date of contract expiration: December 2027
Nationality: French
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup final 2025

The runway was too short for Kévin Rouet when he was handed the Canada head coach role ahead of the 2021 Rugby World Cup. Even after a fourth-place finish in New Zealand, the Frenchman knew that Canada were capable of so much more on the world stage.

So he proved it. With less resources, less money, less time… less everything. Rouet has proven his coaching genius over the past two years. Simply put, he thought of everything ahead of Canada’s runners-up finish at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The 38-year-old always had full faith in his squad, it was always about finding a way to take the group to the next level and truly contend. His use of the Shannon Lee book ‘Be Water, My Friend: The True Teachings of Bruce Lee’ to align his players’ mentality while together was a stroke of genius and their hell-for-leather style of play was a fairytale combination.

If the Red Roses had not won the World Cup, it would not have been a surprise to see Rouet handed the World Rugby Women’s 15s Coach of the Year award instead of John Mitchell. Already he has pledged to take Canada one step further in 2029. You could not put it past him. (By Joe Harvey)

New Zealand
Director of Performance: Allan Bunting
Date of appointment: February 2023
Date of contract expiration: Not specified
Nationality: New Zealand
Biggest accomplishment: Gold medal at the 2020 Olympic rugby sevens

Allan Bunting’s future hangs in the balance, with all to be decided in the next two months, as the Black Ferns Director of Performance’s work is under review by the NZRU board. Bunting took the helm of the then world champs in 2023, replacing Wayne Smith as New Zealand’s women’s Director of Rugby and head coach roles, but failed in retaining the World Cup crown.

While Bunting tried to guide the team to glory, the truth is that they have fallen far short of their usual lofty standards, finishing fourth at the 2023 and 2024 WXV 1 events and not reaching this year’s World Cup final.

Although he had the best intentions, Bunting was unable to find the same success as the team’s previous leader – but that does not mean he is solely responsible for the Black Ferns‘ shortcomings.

France
Head coach: Vacant after dissolution of the Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz partnership
Date of appointment: January 2023
Date of contract expiration: December 2025
Nationality: French
Biggest accomplishment: Fourth-place finish at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The dye has been cast for Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz after their post-Rugby World Cup review. This week the FFR publicly announced that they were taking applications for the next leader, or leaders, of France.

The head coaching duo took charge of the team after Thomas Darracq’s 2022 departure, and although they have come close to defeating England in the last three years, the team seemed lost for large swathes of time and far from their best level.

François Ratier could be the next in line, as the former Canada’s head coach has led Stade Bordelais to a two-peat in the Élite 1, coaching stars such as Khoudedia Cissokho, Morgane Bourgeois, Joanna Grisez, Carla Arbez, Agathe Gérin and Nassira Konde.

Australia
Head coach: Vacant after Jo Yapp’s October departure
Date of appointment: December 2023
Date of contract expiration: October 2025
Nationality: English
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup quarterfinalists/WXV 2 2024 champions

What will be of the Wallaroos after their World Cup quarter-final finish? With confirmation of Jo Yapp’s departure as the Wallaroos head coach, Australia has begun the search for a suitable replacement, and despite the next World Cup set to happen on their own turf, it is not clear where they are heading.

When Yapp was brought in as Australia’s new head coach, there were lingering doubts about the team’s pathway and their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Despite a quarter final finish, the Australian rugby union proceeded not to extend Yapp’s stay, turning a new leaf ahead of the 2029 Rugby World Cup.

Scotland
Head coach: Vacant as Bryan Easson left after the World Cup’s conclusion
Date of appointment: December 2020
Date of contract expiration: October 2025
Nationality: Scottish
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup quarter finals/2023 WXV 2 champions

2026 will be the beginning of a new chapter for Scotland, with head coach Bryan Easson leaving five years after signing with the SRU and players such as Caity Mattinson, Lisa Cockburn and Jade Konkel announcing their retirement from the Test match scene.

The union made the decision not to recommit with Easson with a reshaping of their women’s rugby programme on the horizon.

While Scotland under Easson missed the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, they would ultimately enjoy a successful run in the following three years, winning WXV2 and earning a spot in the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final stage.

Andy Rhys has joined the union as Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways and the search for a new head coach may drag on as no names have been thrown into the rumour mill as of yet.

Ireland
Head coach: Scott Bemand
Date of appointment: July 2023
Date of contract expiration: July 2026
Nationality: English
Biggest accomplishment: 2025 World Cup quarter finals/WXV3 and WXV2 champions

Scott Bemand took over Ireland in July 2023 at a time when rugby fans were worried how much lower the nation’s situation could get. They had already missed out on the 2021 World Cup and there were genuine fears they would not qualify for 2025 too.

Before Bemand arrived, Ireland had finished rock bottom of the Six Nations. Across their five jarring defeats, captain Nichola Fryday (with two) was the only Ireland player to score a try. Bemand had a mountain to climb, but he got right to it.

He was aided by the breakthrough of a clutch of young Leinster stars – including Aoife Wafer, Dannah O’Brien, Aoife Dalton and Erin King – that had come through the ranks together.

There were signs of life in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, with a third place finish that secured qualification for WXV 1 in Vancouver that year. With a huge block of time to work with his players Bemand led Ireland to second in that tournament beating both New Zealand and the USA along the way.

This year’s Six Nations and the Women’s World Cup promised much and featured some strong performances, but injuries to major players hampered them in both. Bemand is contracted with the IRFU until after the 2026 Six Nations.

The union should be doing all they can to extend his contract up until the next World Cup. Ireland are building a squad, and system, to push France and England close. They are not there yet, but letting Bemand walk away at this stage would be damaging. By Pat McCarry.

South Africa
Head coach: Swys de Bruin
Date of appointment: August 2024
Date of contract expiration: October 2025
Nationality: South African
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup quarter-finals

There’s no doubt whatsoever that Swys de Bruin and the Springbok Women were a match made in rugby heaven at the recent World Cup. The two clicked immediately and the South Africans claimed several wins and accomplishments across the last 12 months.

After some impressive performances at WXV, South Africa would go on to marvel fans at this year’s World Cup, delivering some of the most entertaining performances and reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

While there were some lingering doubts among South African Rugby board members, the union ended up making the wise choice of renewing de Bruin’s contract until the next World Cup in 2029.

United States of America
Head coach: Vacant after Sione Fukofuka’s departure
Date of appointment: November 2023
Date of contract expiration: October 2025
Nationality: Australian
Biggest accomplishment: 31-31 draw with Australia in Rugby World Cup 2025 pool match

As ever the USA Women’s Eagles’ Rugby World Cup campaign was a tale of  so close, yet so far. The Eagles fell short of securing a quarter final spot and ending their World Cup in the pool stages. A first since the first Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991.

In the aftermath of a disappointing campaign, head coach Sione Fukofuka opted to resign, and opened the door for the USA to pick a new commander-in-chief ahead of 2026’s Pacific Four Series.

No decision has been made yet as the union has just announced that it is accepting applications for the role.

Samoa
Head coach: Vacant after Ramsey Tomokino’s departure
Date of appointment: August 2018
Date of contract expiration: September 2025
Nationality: Samoan
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup qualification/2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship

Ramsey Tomokino’s eight-year run as Samoa’s head coach came to an end after an emotionally charged World Cup campaign.

The now General Manager of High Performance of the Rugby Samoa rebuilt the Manusina from nothing, and guided the team to their first World Cup since 2014.

Tomokino’s passion for the Manusina was palpable and made a difference, as shown in his many press conferences at the World Cup, and set the tone for whoever comes next.

Fiji
Head coach: Ioan Cunningham
Date of appointment: February 2025
Date of contract expiration: Not specified
Nationality: Welsh
Biggest accomplishment: 2025 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship winners/ beating Wales in 2025 Rugby World Cup pool match

Ioan Cunningham arrived in Fiji in February and less than seven months later managed to guide the Fijiana to their best ever Rugby World Cup result.

After taking the fight to Canada in the opening weekend and making Scotland sweat in the following round, Cunningham’s Fiji claimed a sensational win over Wales, in a show of strength, resolve and growth.

While the details of Cunningham’s contract with the Fiji Rugby Union haven’t been revealed, it is believed that the Welshman could stick around for the foreseeable future.

Wales
Head coach: Sean Lynn
Date of appointment: January 2025
Date of contract expiration: July 2027
Nationality: Welsh
Biggest accomplishment: Win over Australia in 2025 Rugby World Cup warm up game

By many metrics the World Cup was a disaster for Wales. Three defeats, including an historic loss to Fiji at Exeter’s Sandy Park, constituted a forgettable couple of weeks for Sean Lynn’s side.

To put a miserable campaign into some context, only two teams – Samoa and debutants Brazil – scored fewer points and tries than Wales (33/6). And they crossed the whitewash once between them.

The distance Wales have fallen in the last couple of years was summed up by the players’ reaction to their 42-0 defeat to Canada in round two.

Despite being nilled at Salford Community Stadium there was a sense of triumph that they had restricted the eventual runners-up to ‘only’ six tries. But it is in adversity that coaches learn most. And Lynn would have discovered a lot across Wales’ games in Manchester and Exeter.

Lynn cannot be blamed for what happened in England. His record as Wales coach is not good, but he started the job less than a week ahead of the Women’s Six Nations in March and inherited a difficult situation.

He has history on his side when it comes to improving players. He transformed Gloucester Hartpury from also-rans into three-time PWR champions. It took time to build a legacy in the south-west of England and it will be a similar story across the Prince of Wales Bridge.

In the emergence of young players such as Seren Lockwood and Bryonie King, there are at least signs that better times lie ahead.

Do not expect the rain clouds to clear any time soon but if Lynn is given time then you can expect Wales to travel to Australia in four years’ time in much better shape. By Martyn Thomas

Japan
Head coach: Vacant after Lesley McKenzie’s departure
Date of appointment: March 2019
Date of contract expiration: September 2025
Nationality: Canadian
Biggest accomplishment: Three-time Asia Rugby Championship winner

Lesley McKenzie’s tenure as Japan’s head coach has come to an end having led the Sakura to their best World Cup performance since 2002 and left the nation in a better place. Not only as a team but as a high-performance programme.

Having arrived in the country in 2018, the former Canadian international set in motion Japan’s growth as a women’s rugby nation and set a standard for the future.

After clawing their way back to victory against Spain in their World Cup closing game McKenzie announced her departure and opened up a vacancy that is still yet to be filled.

Rumours have mentioned the possibility of the JRFU opting to select a homegrown coach but nothing has been decided at the time of writing.

Spain
Head coach: Juan Marruecos
Date of appointment: April 2022
Date of contract expiration: October 2025
Nationality: Spanish
Biggest accomplishment: Three-time Women’s Rugby Championship champion/2024 WXV 3 champion

From a promising start to a disappointing end; Juan Marruecos’ Spain failed in their bid to show improvement and growth and a change may take place in the coming weeks.

Despite securing three Women’s Rugby Championship victories and a WXV3 win, the Leonas have fallen further away from the likes of Japan, South Africa and Ireland. A concern for the union’s high-performance leadership.

Local media have reported that Juan Marruecos is set to be replaced in the coming months and news about his successor expected soon.

Italy
Head coach: Fabio Rosselli
Date of appointment: December 2025
Date of contract expiration: July 2027
Nationality: Italian
Biggest accomplishment: Fourth in 2025 Women’s Six Nations

Expectations were high for Italy, as after a promising Six Nations, the Azzurre seemed en route to reach, at least, the World Cup quarter-finals. In the end, Fabio Rosselli’s side only managed to secure one win, and failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2017.

Italy’s game plan was torn apart by France and South Africa, with the Italian ill-discipline and clunky set-piece having a massive impact on their overall performance.

Nonetheless, no changes are expected, with Rosselli staying in his role as head coach at least until the conclusion of next year’s Six Nations.

Brazil
Head coach: Vacant after Emiliano Caffera’a departure
Date of appointment: October 2023
Date of contract expiration: December 2026
Nationality: Uruguayan
Biggest accomplishment: World Cup qualification

One year and three months after Brazil’s Rugby World Cup qualification, head coach Emiliano Caffera was dismissed from the role due to conflicting opinions about the team’s performance at the World Cup.

With the former Uruguay international, Brazil managed to collect their first wins over the Netherlands and Portugal, and displayed promising growth signs for a programme that only kicked off in 2019.

Although no announcements have been made by Brasil Rugby, Crystal Kaua might be who follows next, after the New Zealander’s impressive work with the Yaras’ sevens programme.