England have been drawn into a tricky group as they host the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2010.
The Red Roses were beaten finalists in five of the last six World Cups, with a win over Canada in 2014 sandwiched by five losses at the hands of New Zealand, but will be the team to beat as they look to take back the title on home turf.
John Mitchell’s side completed a fourth straight Six Nations Grand Slam in April, but will face a stiff challenge just to escape Pool A, where they will face the United States, Samoa, and Australia.
Should they top the group, there is a good chance they will face one of Scotland, Wales, or dark horses Canada in the quarter-finals. The draw could also see them face France in the semi-finals - Les Bleus were unbeaten before facing England in the Six Nations finale earlier this year, but lost by a one-point margin at Twickenham.
Mitchell has no doubt of England’s potential ahead of their tournament opener: “We believe this is a squad that can win the World Cup.”
When is England playing?
As the tournament hosts, England have been drawn into pool A and will play the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the Stadium of Light.
- United States, August 22 (7.30pm BST)
- Samoa, August 30 (5.00pm BST)
- Australia, September 6 (5.00pm BST)
How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup
TV Channel: The BBC hold the exclusive rights to broadcast the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK. Select matches will be broadcast on terrestrial TV, with specific broadcast schedules to be confirmed in due course. Live commentary will be available throughout the tournament via BBC Radio Five Live.
Live stream: All Rugby World Cup matches will be streamed live online via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Follow the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Standard Sport!
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stage schedule
Friday, August 22
England vs United States (7.30pm BST, Sunderland)
Saturday, August 23
Australia vs Samoa (12.00pm BST, Manchester)
Scotland vs Wales (2.45pm BST, Manchester)
Canada vs Fiji (5.30pm BST, York)
France vs Italy (8.15pm BST, Exeter)
Sunday, August 24
Ireland vs Japan (12.00pm BST, Northampton)
South Africa vs Brazil (2.45pm BST, Northampton)
New Zealand vs Spain (5.30pm BST, York)
Saturday, August 30
Canada vs Wales (12.00pm BST, Manchester)
Scotland vs Fiji (2.45pm BST, Manchester)
England vs Samoa (5.00pm BST, Northampton)
United States vs Australia (7.30pm BST, York)
Sunday, August 31
Ireland vs Spain (12.00pm BST, Northampton)
New Zealand vs Japan (2.00pm BST, Exeter)
Italy vs South Africa (3.30pm BST, York)
France vs Brazil (4.45pm BST, Exeter)
Saturday, September 6
Canada vs Scotland (12.00pm BST, Exeter)
United States vs Samoa (1.30pm BST, York)
Wales vs Fiji (2.45pm BST, Exeter)
England vs Australia (5.00pm BST, Brighton)
Sunday, September 7
Japan vs Spain (12.00pm BST, York)
Italy vs Brazil (2.00pm BST, Northampton)
New Zealand vs Ireland (2.45pm BST, Brighton)
France vs South Africa (4.45pm BST, Northampton)
Pool A standings
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
1 |
England |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Australia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
United States |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Samoa |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Pool B standings
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
1 |
Canada |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Scotland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Wales |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Fiji |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Pool C standings
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
1 |
New Zealand |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Japan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Spain |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Pool D standings
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
1 |
France |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Italy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
South Africa |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Brazil |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Quarter-final fixtures
Saturday, September 13
QF1 - Winner of Pool C vs Runners-up of Pool D (1.00pm BST, Exeter)
QF2 - Winner of Pool B vs Runners-up of Pool A (4.00pm BST, Bristol)
Sunday, September 14
QF3 - Winner of Pool D vs Runners-up of Pool C (1.00pm BST, Exeter)
QF4 - Winner of Pool A vs Runners-up of Pool B (4.00pm BST, Bristol)
Semi-final fixtures
Friday, September 19
SF1 - Winner of QF1 vs Winner of QF2 (7.00pm BST, Bristol)
Saturday, September 20
SF2 - Winner of QF3 vs Winner of QF4 (3.30pm BST, Bristol)
Bronze final fixture
Saturday, September 27
Loser of SF1 vs Loser of SF2 (12.30pm BST, Twickenham)
Final fixture
Saturday, September 27
Winner of SF1 vs Winner of SF2 (4.00pm BST, Twickenham)
