One of the biggest sporting events on the 2025 calendar is set for this summer, as the Women’s Rugby World Cup will be staged across the United Kingdom.
For the second time, England will host the event, while it is the fifth time that the competition has been staged in the British Isles. There will also be a fresh feel to the World Cup this summer, as it will feature 16 nations for the first time.
The action at the World Cup will get underway at the Stadium of Light on August 22, before the world champions are crowned at England’s home stadium Twickenham on September 27.
But, which countries will be among the leading contenders to win the prestigious honour in 2025?
New Zealand
When it comes to a rugby World Cup, whether it be for the men or women, it is incredibly hard to overlook the chances of New Zealand. The Black Ferns are the reigning world champions following their nail-biting 34-31 win over England at Eden Park in 2022.
New Zealand are undeniably the nation that everyone will need to beat, as they have won a staggering 81% of their test matches throughout history. Meanwhile, they have suffered defeats against just five of the 16 nations that they have played.
Their dominance at the World Cup is reflected by the fact that they have won six of the nine editions of the competition, which includes victories in six of the last seven.
The two-time defending world champions look to have everything going in their favour once again this summer after recently winning the Pacific Four Series.
England
England are one of the few nations that have a respectful record against the Black Ferns, winning 13 of the 33 matches. John Mitchell’s nation have been the most successful team in the Women’s Six Nations, winning the championship on 21 of the 30 occasions. Being the host it is normal that bookmakers not on gamstop put them among the favorites to win.
Furthermore, the Red Roses have won the Grand Slam a staggering 19 times. England are currently the top-ranked nation in the world, and they warmed up for the World Cup after dominating the 2024 Six Nations.
The Red Roses won all five of their matches earlier this year, which included an engrossing 43-42 success against France. Overall, they scored a remarkable 256 points and conceded just 71. England’s prowess at the World Cup will make them a leading contender this summer, as they go in search of a third honour.
In fact, England have been in all but one of the Women’s World Cup finals since 1991, losing each of the last two against New Zealand. This could be the summer to avenge those heartbreaks.
Canada
England and New Zealand will be the top two in the betting to win the World Cup this summer, but an outsider that has been improving at a rapid rate is Canada.
The national team is currently ranked as the second best in the Women’s World Rugby Rankings, and they have already shown their ability to compete with the best this calendar year after playing out a draw against New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series. In doing so, they became the first nation to hold the Black Ferns to a draw since England in 2011.
Canada have been consistent in World Cups since the 1990s, reaching at least the semi-finals in five of the last seven editions. However, they will need to improve once again if they are to reach the levels of England and New Zealand having lost in the semi-finals on four occasions since 1998.
Their previous best showing came in 2014, as they were beaten by England in the final. But, the fact that they hold winning records against all nations aside from the Red Roses and New Zealand will give them an excellent chance of going deep in the competition this summer.
France
A World Cup being hosted in Europe should suit the nations from the continent, meaning that it would be fair to give France a chance this summer.
The French, coached by Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz, pushed England the closest in the Six Nations earlier this year, and on another day, they may have got the luck that they needed to get over the line. France have been a consistent nation at the Women’s World Cup, placing third in seven of the nine editions of the competition.
Their progression on the global stage was also evident at the previous edition of the tournament, coming within a point of eliminating New Zealand in the semi-final stage. The gap between the Black Ferns and the chasing pack is closing year-on-year, and France could have the attacking quality to cause the nation the most problems.
Their chances this summer could be enhanced based on having the most straightforward group, as they will come up against South Africa, Brazil, and Italy in Pool D.
