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Week One: Best Rugby World Cup 2025 social media moments
By Ciara Fearn
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup got off to a flying start this weekend as England asserted early dominance with a 66-7 win over the USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, drawing a record crowd of 42,723.
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Australia followed with a 73-0 washout of Samoa on Saturday, while Scotland impressed in Manchester beating Wales 38-8 at Salford Community Stadium and France shut out Italy 24-0 in Exeter.
On Sunday, Canada triumphed over Fiji 65-7 at York Community Stadium, Ireland defeated Japan 42-14, South Africa powered past Brazil 66-6, and New Zealand produced a statement 54-8 win against Spain.
But it wasn’t just about tries and tackles it was also about the little moments before and after (and some during) the game. Beyond the score lines the tournament came alive on social media across TikTok and Instagram, buzzing with key moments that showed off the humour and personality of the players.
Here’s a roundup of the best bits from the opening weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
‘GRWM’ with the Red Roses: Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward (TikTok)
England props up the glam! Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward’s ‘Get Ready With Me’ for the opening ceremony showed off the giddy, pre-tournament nerves and the impeccable fit of their suits.
It’s the perfect icebreaker for new fans: quickfire banter and a reminder that even the most battle-hardened forwards love a big night glow-up.
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Botterman turned her trousers into makeshift shorts just a bit too long and tied her scarf like a necktie, finishing the look with a mock-serious ‘uniform’.
The result? A hilarious flight-attendant impression for the opening ceremony. It’s the kind of playful, down-to-earth content that shows fans a lighter side of rugby’s biggest stars.
No wonder Botterman and Ward are quickly being dubbed England’s funniest double act.
@hannahbotts_ GRWM & @Abbie Ward ? original sound – Hannah Botterman
Ilona Maher’s trend with a twist (TikTok)
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Fresh off USA’s loss to England, Ilona Maher serves a melancholy bus-ride pose – ‘When it wasn’t the outcome you wanted’ then flips the narrative with a wink: ‘42,000 in-stadium and millions watching’.
It’s classic Maher wit, remaining relentlessly optimistic about where women’s rugby is headed.
Bonus from her Instagram feed as Maher gets ‘taken out’ by teammate Georgie Lilly Perris-Redding on the pitch – ‘as teammates we always try to trip each other…wait, it’s supposed to be lift each other up. Our mistake.’
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Portia Woodman-Wickliffe just being her spectacular self (TikTok)
A true masterclass- inevitably Portia Woodman-Wickliffe dashed over for her 21st World Cup try against Spain.
You just knew what was coming during that match, the line, angle and finish was superb. Clinical brilliance from this superstar.
Jorja Miller’s first World Cup try (TikTok)
From being a shining star on the sevens circuit to making her mark on the biggest stage of all, New Zealand’s Jorja Miller wasted no time in announcing herself at the Rugby World Cup.
Her first try had everything starting with a teasing step, a glide past the defence and then a sharp cut inside that left Spain clutching at air.
It was the kind of finish that shows both flair and composure. She has the aura and confidence of a player who already looks at home under the lights.
It’s a try you’ll want to watch back more than once and a reminder that Miller is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more as this tournament unfolds.
South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ goes viral (TikTok)
We’ve seen the men’s side lean into the Bomb Squad identity for years and now the Springbok Women are having a piece of the pie.
Their version dropped on TikTok over the weekend and instantly caught fire. What makes it work is how effortlessly the players sell it.
It’s short and perfectly built for the feed showing the world that the Bok Women aren’t just here to compete, they’re here to entertain.
It’s playful and it was perfectly timed for the algorithm – a team identity distilled into 15 seconds of swagger.
@rugbyworldcup Where have we seen this one before 👀🇿🇦 #RWC2025 #RSAvBRA ? original sound – Rugby World Cup
Scotland’s Elliann Clarke and Eva Donaldson on battle wounds (TikTok)
Post-match and bruised, Clarke leans into a joke about her black eye as Eva voiceovers ‘Do you think your eyes are a little too smokey for everyday?’ and Elliann deadpans back, ‘yeah, I’m going through a phase – is that okay with you?’
It’s a trending Kardashian voiceover, but with a rugby twist. The kind of clip that turns battle scars into personality and makes you hit replay before scrolling on.
Also trending on our watch list:
Australia’s Caitlyn Halse, first-cap fireworks (TikTok): the Wallaroos’ youngest player dots one down against Samoa and it’s definitely one she won’t forget.
Face-off of the weekend (TikTok): Ilona Maher and Ellie Kildunne square up for the camera, two of the sport’s biggest personalities leaning into the theatre.
@rugbyworldcup 🥶🥶 #RWC2025 #ENGvUSA @Ilona Maher @Elliekildunne ? Originalton – Jmmo
Team USA’s opening number energy (Instagram): Starring Ilona Maher, Georgie Lilly Perris-Redding and Charli Jacoby. Choreography and cohesion are exactly the kind of backstage vibe that converts scrollers into supporters.
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