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Women's Rugby World Cup

What to watch in women’s rugby: World Cup pool draw

By Martyn Thomas

213 days ago

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - OCTOBER 12: England celebrate with the WXV1 trophy following the WXV1 Pool match between Canada and England at BC Place on October 12, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England will pick up pace this week as the pools for the tournament are confirmed.

Sixteen teams have made sure of their progress to the expanded tournament, and they will find out the identity of their pool-stage opponents on Thursday.

On Saturday, meanwhile, we may get a glimpse of some of the players who will light up the World Cup as title contenders Bristol Bears and Saracens come face-to-face in the third round of Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

You can watch all that and more live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

Watch England 2025 pool draw

We will take another sizeable step towards Women’s RWC 2025 on Thursday when the pools are drawn live on the BBC and RugbyPass TV.

After the full 16-team line-up was finalised at the end of WXV 2024 last weekend, the teams are now waiting to know who they will play in England next August and September.

The qualified nations have been seeded and divided into four bands for the draw, depending on their position in Monday’s World Rugby Women’s Rankings.

WXV 1 winners England are the No1 seeds and have been joined in the top band by Canada, reigning world champions New Zealand and France.

In band two, WXV 2 champions Australia head into the draw alongside, Ireland, Scotland and Italy – who climbed above USA at the last possible moment.

The Women’s Eagles were the big losers of the final weekend of WXV, their defeat to Ireland dropping them into the third band for Thursday’s draw alongside Wales, Japan and South Africa.

Spain, who won WXV 3 in dramatic fashion, find themselves in band four with Samoa, Fiji and Brazil – at No42 the lowest ranked nation in the tournament.

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi will join BBC Sport’s Gabby Logan and a presenter from The One Show to draw one team from each band into each pool.

You can find out who gets drawn into which pool live and for free globally via RugbyPass TV from 19:19 BST (GMT+1).

Thursday, October 17th

19:19 BST (GMT+1) – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Draw – WATCH LIVE HERE

Saracens head to Bear country

The PWR season might only be two weeks old but round three looks like it could be a potentially pivotal one on the road to next year’s final at StoneX Stadium.

On Saturday, last season’s semi-finalists go head-to-head as Bristol Bears host Saracens at Ashton Gate before Gloucester-Hartpury take on Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.

You can watch the first of those live and for free on RugbyPass TV, except in the UK, Ireland, Canada and USA.

Hosts Bears came agonisingly close to claiming their first PWR title in June leading Gloucester-Hartpury at half-time only to lose in Exeter.

And their quest for a return to the showpiece match got underway with a comfortable 46-19 defeat of Loughborough Lightning on October 5th. Having sat out round two they will be keen to win their first home match of the season.

Bristol’s cause could be boosted by the return of some of their England contingent, a scenario facing Saracens head coach Alex Austerberry as well.

Fixture

PWR

Bristol Bears Women

24 - 41

Full-time

Saracens Women

All Stats and Data

Saracens head into the match with two wins from two so far this season, having followed up a 38-29 victory against Trailfinders Women on the opening weekend with a 52-14 win at Sale.

Their quest for a first top-flight title since 2022 has been given an extra incentive this week with the news that they will host the showpiece match in March.

Saturday, October 19th

12:00 BST – Bristol Bears v Saracens, Ashton Gate – WATCH LIVE HERE

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍