World Cup Pool Guides: Pool D

With 16 teams competing at the 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. Next up, Pool D.

ITALY
• Manager: Fabio Roselli Appointed: 2024 Nationality: Italian
• Captain: Elisa Giordano Position: Back row Club: Valsugana
• Key Player: Aura Muzzo Position: Wing Club: Capitolina
How Many World Cups: Five (debut in 1991)

World Cup History: The proud Azzurre were amongst the teams at the first Women’s Rugby World Cup, finishing in the bottom half of the 1991 tournament. Italy would then feature in the 1998, 2002, 2017 and 2021 editions, with the latter turning out to be their best World Cup qualifying for the quarter finals.

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Current Form: This year Italy experienced their best Six Nations since 2018, defeating Scotland and Wales, while putting up a great challenge against France. Head coach Roselli has been integral to Italy’s current rise in form, with the Azzurre looking more menacing game by game.

Tournament Hopes: Italy’s chances of reaching the quarter finals are more than favourable, although they will have to be cautious of the Springbok Women. The Italians have evolved since 2022, with more key players with more experience, and talented youngsters such as Sara Mannini settling nicely into the squad, but will they be able to go one further than last time with a place in the semi-finals?

BRAZIL
• Manager: Emiliano Caffera Appointed: 2023 Nationality: Uruguayan
• Captain: Eshyllen Coimbra Position: Lock Club: El-Shaddai
• Key Player: Larissa Lima Henwood Position: Back row Club: Counties Manukau
How Many World Cups: This is their debut

World Cup History: The year 2025 will be significant for the Yaras, as they are set to participate in their first ever Rugby World Cup. An astonishing feat for the South American nation who’s women’s programme only began in 2018. Since then Brazil rapidly improved to beat Colombia for a qualification spot.

Current Form: Brazil concluded their World Cup warm-up with a first ever victory over the Netherlands, only one month after defeating the USA ‘Falcons’ and Colombia with a record winning margin.

The Yaras have made great strides in the last three months, especially with the inclusion of the Brazilian SVNS superstars Raquel Kochhann, Bianca Silva, Yasmim Soares and Thalia Costa.

Tournament Hopes: Brazil’s primary objective is to remain competitive with elite teams such as France and Italy while making every effort to effectively counter South Africa. It will be a hard task for the Yaras but their optimism and sense of pride won’t fade even if they don’t emerge from their pool.

SOUTH AFRICA
• Manager: Swys de Bruin Appointed: 2024 Nationality: South African
• Captain: Nolusindiso Booi Position: Lock Club: DHL Western Province
• Key Player: Aseza Hele Position: Back row Club: Boland Dames
How Many World Cups: Four (debut in 2006)

World Cup History: While the South Africa women’s programme only began in the 21st century, they would proceed to qualify for four out of five World cups, earning their first pool win in 2010. In 2017 the union decided to not allow them to qualify for the World Cup, but they made their return five years later.

Current Form: Head coach Swys de Bruin has opted for a more direct playing style, and it has worked wonders for the Springbok Women, with the team taking down the Black Ferns XV, Spain and Japan in the past year. They have nurtured their set-piece to become a feared machine that can push them over the finishing line, with the back line having been upgraded as well, able to create several try scoring opportunities with just a few inches of space.

Tournament Hopes: Can the Springbok Women pull the rug from under Italy? Although the Azzurre are favourites to go through the pool stage, it isn’t improbable for South Africa to reach the knockouts, especially if they show the same level of execution as they did against the Black Ferns XV earlier this month.

FRANCE
• Manager: Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz Appointed: 2022 Nationality: France
• Captain: Manaé Feleu Position: Lock Club: FC Grenoble Amazones
• Key Player: Pauline Bourdon-Sansus Position: Scrum half Club: Stade Toulousain
How Many World Cups: Nine (debut in 1991)

World Cup History: France has been part of Women’s World Cup history from the very beginning, finishing in joint third place with New Zealand in 1991. They would go on to qualify for the next eight tournaments, always making for the semi-finals in all but one campaign. Although the top prize still eludes them, the French have won seven bronze medals, the most of any nation.

Current Form: While the latest WXV1 tournament didn’t go as well as planned, France made a turnaround and put out a spectacular performance in the 2025 Six Nations, nearly winning the tournament for the first time since 2018. Their backline’s magical plays, combined with a fierce and resolute forward pack, have allowed them to narrow down the gap to the top three sides in the world.

Tournament Hopes: Is the tenth time a charm? The World Cup final has evaded them since 1991, but can this be the year? If Les Bleues can work out their ill-discipline and refine their scrum to push back against stronger sides up front like England and Canada, the main question is whether they can be consistent enough to finish the job.

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