World Cup Pool Guides: Pool C

With 16 teams competing at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, here is a run-down of each team’s World Cup history, their aspirations for the tournament and key personnel. First up, Pool C.

IRELAND
• Manager: Scott Bemand Appointed: 2023 Nationality: England
• Captain: Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan Position: Back row and lock Club: Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Hartpury
• Key Player: Aoife Wafer Position: Back Row Club: Harlequins
How Many World Cups: Seven (debut in 1994)

World Cup History: Ireland’s first World Cup appearance happened in 1994 where they were able to qualify for the next seven editions, only missing out in 2022. Having finished in seventh place four times, their best showing was in 2014, qualifying for the semi-finals after the tournament’s biggest ever upset when they beat the Black Ferns and earnt a fourth place finish.

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Current Form: After a sensational 2024 WXV1, Ireland had hopes of causing an upset in the 2025 Six Nations but failed to deliver. Since then some of their star players sustained injuries. With a question mark over when Aoife Wafer will return, Ireland will need to regroup after a loss to Canada in the warm ups, as they face the reigning champions New Zealand and dark horses Japan in their pool.

Tournament Hopes: If we were in 2024, it would be probable and believable that Ireland had enough power, confidence and talent to reach the semi-finals. What we know is that if Ireland build the same momentum they created in WXV last year, then we could see them continue to surprise a few teams.

JAPAN
• Manager: Lesley McKenzie Appointed: 2019 Nationality: Canadian
• Captain: Iroha Nagata Position: Back Row Club: Arukas Queen Kumagaya
• Key Player: Sachiko Kato Position: Prop Club: Yokogawa Musashino Artemi-Stars
How Many World Cups: 5 (debut in 1991)

World Cup History: Japan was among the original 12 nations to participate in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with its best overall result coming in 1994 when the Sakura were placed in eighth after beating Sweden in the pool stages.

Current Form: While Japan conceded more losses than wins in 2024, the Sakura made several improvements, coming very close to defeating Wales and Scotland. The team is presently on an impressive unbeaten streak spanning five matches, having secured victories over opponents such as the USA and Spain.

Tournament Hopes: Does the Sakura have the means to claim a quarter-final spot? Can they pull the rug from under Ireland’s feet? From what we’ve seen in the last two years, everything is within their reach. While the Black Ferns and Ireland are theoretically the top dogs in Pool C, a shock can happen with a team with a low centre of gravity and fierce competitors who aren’t afraid of causing an upset.

SPAIN
• Manager: Juan Marruecos Appointed: 2022 Nationality: Spanish
• Captain: Laura Delgado Dueñas Position: Prop Club: Harlequins
• Key Player: Claudia Peña Hidalgo Position: Utility Back Club: Harlequins
How Many World Cups: Six (debut in 1991)

World Cup History: Las Leonas competed at the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup, and since then have become part of its history, missing only three editions. The Leonas best run happened in 1991, claiming wins against Italy, Japan and the Netherlands to finish in sixth place. They were the hosts of the 2002 edition, exiting as a quarter-finalists.

Current Form: Winners of the 2024 WXV3, Spain hasn’t been able to uphold the same game consistency across all matches played since. While producing spirited second halves against Japan and South Africa this year, their overall performances didn’t meet the team’s expectations, having fallen dependent on individuals such as Claudia Peña, Alba Capell and Amalia Argudo to provide the spark.

Tournament Hopes: After missing the 2021 Rugby World Cup, the Leonas are looking to claw one win from this tournament, potentially from their match up with Japan and potentially challenge fifth in the world Ireland. However, this does seem a tall ask for the second lowest ranked team in the tournament, in 13th.

NEW ZEALAND
• Manager: Allan Bunting Appointed: 2023 Nationality: New Zealand
• Captain(s): Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Tukuafu Position(s): Fly half and back row Club: Blues and Chiefs Manawa
• Key Player: Jorja Miller Position: Back Row Club: New Zealand Sevens
How Many World Cups: Nine

World Cup History: New Zealand have won the World Cup a record six times in their history. They have never lost a final, their lowest finish coming in 2014 when they fell to Ireland, effectively knocked them out of the competition before the semi-final stage.

Current Form: The Black Ferns won the Pacific Four Series on points difference after drawing with Canada and inflicting heavy defeats on Australia and the USA which saw remarkable winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe run in seven tries. They are not invincible though, last year saw them lose to Ireland, Canada and England.

Tournament Hopes: They will be looking to win the tournament for the third consecutive time and with it being on English soil, to return home victorious would make it even sweeter.

Want to see which players from this pool made RugbyPass’ Top 50 Women’s Players in the world? View the Top 50 list here.