England set to take on the USA in Women's Rugby World Cup opener

Hosts England will commence the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup against the United States in Sunderland on August 22nd, as announced by World Rugby on Tuesday.

The match is scheduled to be held at the Stadium of Light, the home ground of the north-east football club Sunderland, as the organizers aim to introduce rugby union to both unconventional venues and traditional locations.

New Zealand, the reigning champions and victors of six out of the nine previous tournaments, will initiate their title defense against Spain at York Community Stadium two days later, on August 24th.

Bristol and Exeter, known for their rugby heritage, will serve as the venues for all quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the organizers aspiring to achieve a new record attendance for a women's rugby international by filling Twickenham, which has a capacity of 82,000, for the final on September 27th.

Additionally, pool matches will take place in Manchester, Northampton, and Brighton.

England, having faced defeat in the last two finals against New Zealand, are considered favorites to secure their third World Cup title after an 11-year hiatus.

The Red Roses recently triumphed over Canada to claim the WXV title earlier this month and currently hold the top ranking in the world.

The announcement on Tuesday followed last week's pool draw, which placed New Zealand in Pool C alongside Ireland—who recently surprised the Black Ferns with a 29-27 victory in Vancouver—Japan, and Spain.

England and the USA, the only other champions of the Women's Rugby World Cup after winning the inaugural tournament in 1991, will also compete against Australia and Samoa in Pool A.

France, who finished third in 2021, is placed in Pool D with Italy, South Africa, and Brazil, marking the first qualification of a South American team.

The tournament has expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with Canada, Scotland, Wales, and Fiji rounding out the participants in Pool B.

SportsLigue