The stage is set for what promises to be the most electrifying Women’s Rugby World Cup yet, with England’s Red Roses entering the tournament as overwhelming favorites. As the opening whistle prepares to sound on Friday, August 22, 2025, all eyes are on a squad that has redefined dominance in the sport over the last eight years. Since the start of 2017, the Red Roses have racked up a staggering 87 wins against just four defeats, with only a handful of teams—most notably France and New Zealand’s Black Ferns—managing to dent their near-invincible record.
The scars of previous heartbreaks, though, run deep. England’s women have twice fallen at the final hurdle, losing consecutive World Cup finals to the Black Ferns, including a gut-wrenching 34-31 defeat at Eden Park in August 2022. That loss, marked by a crucial stolen lineout just meters from the try line, still lingers in the collective memory of the squad. For 32-year-old lock Abbie Ward, who was at the center of that fateful play and has since become a mother, the 2025 tournament offers a shot at redemption. As Charlie Morgan noted, "What a story it would be if the 32-year-old lock could bounce back from the heartache of the last World Cup, when New Zealand nabbed a crucial throw from her clutches at the end, having become a mother in the meantime."
Since that defeat, England have not looked back. They are currently riding a 27-match winning streak, the longest in their history, with only France coming close to cracking their code—twice staying within a score. Yet, in their final World Cup warm-up, England crushed the French 40-6, putting any doubts to rest. The average scoreline during this streak? An imposing 49-12 in England’s favor. It’s a testament to how the Red Roses have evolved from a side built around forward dominance to one that now boasts a truly expansive, multi-dimensional attack.
Central to this transformation has been the arrival of John Mitchell as head coach in 2023, succeeding Simon Middleton. Mitchell’s pedigree is almost unmatched: a former All Blacks head coach, as well as having held key roles with England’s men’s side, he brought with him a reputation for tactical innovation and a willingness to embrace the unknown. His impact has been felt both on and off the field. England winger Claudia MacDonald summed it up, saying, "John Mitchell has been an absolute game changer for us. It is always about having the right coach at the right time and he is the coach we needed at this time." She went on, "He is an incredibly honest person. He is himself and he does silly things which makes him more human. It means that we can do silly things, and it reduces the expectation on each of us to be perfect."
Mitchell’s approach has not only made England more unpredictable but has also fostered a culture where mistakes are seen as part of the journey to greatness. "He drives high standards, he wants us to be the best version of ourselves, but he also recognises that comes with making mistakes along the journey. He values the mistakes and the errors as much as he does the bits that we get right," MacDonald added.
The Red Roses’ forward pack remains the envy of the rugby world, with players like Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, and Abbie Ward forming a formidable unit. Katy Daley-Mclean highlighted Bern’s all-court game, stating, "Sarah Bern has the opportunity to really show how the modern prop plays with her all-court game." Meanwhile, Aldcroft’s versatility and relentless work rate have made her a cornerstone of the team. As Fiona Tomas put it, "Aldcroft has been a force of nature for England in recent years and has arguably been the most consistent operator across either the men’s or women’s game."
England’s backs, too, are brimming with talent. Ellie Kildunne, fresh off winning both the Six Nations Player of the Championship and the World Player of the Year in 2024, is a constant threat. Despite a recent hamstring niggle, her record—14 tries in nine Tests last year—speaks volumes. Meg Jones, who was still playing sevens at the last World Cup, has emerged as one of England’s most influential backs, while Abby Dow’s try-scoring exploits make her one to watch as the tournament unfolds. Charles Richardson noted, "Dow was the top try-scorer for England as they secured another Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year and, if they were to go all the way as expected, then expect her to be back up towards the top of the charts once again."
England’s depth is no accident. The RFU’s commitment—investing around £15 million annually into the women’s game—has seen the Red Roses become the first fully professional women’s rugby team. The domestic Premiership Women’s Rugby league not only supplies the entire England squad but also provides a pipeline of talent for other nations. This investment has fostered a level of competition and skill development unmatched elsewhere, giving England a clear edge in both quality and quantity.
Yet, if history teaches anything, it’s that there are no guarantees in World Cup rugby. The Black Ferns, six-time champions, have never lost to England at a World Cup and have a knack for peaking when it matters most. Sarah Mockford cautioned, "The Black Ferns always turn up at World Cups (they have won the title a record six times), tend to get better as the tournament progresses and have incredibly skilful players. Plus, England have never beaten the Black Ferns at a World Cup." Canada, too, are being tipped as dark horses, led by captain Alexandra Tessier, who was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024. The Canadians have improved markedly since their semi-final scare against England three years ago, with players like Fancy Bermudez and Tessier embodying their newfound flair and resilience.
New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, the record World Cup try-scorer with 20 tries, and young talents like Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Ayesha Leti-I’iga will be eager to spoil the English party. Meanwhile, France, with rising stars like Carla Arbez and the ever-dangerous Pauline Bourdon Sansus, remain a threat, even if England’s recent thrashing suggests the gap is widening.
As the tournament kicks off, more than 330,000 tickets have already been snapped up, a testament to the surging popularity of women’s rugby in England. With ticket prices starting at just £5 for children and £10 for adults, the RFU is determined to make this World Cup the most accessible and celebrated yet. The final, set for September 27, 2025, at Twickenham Stadium, promises to be a sporting spectacle for the ages.
So, will England finally lift the trophy that has eluded them, or will history repeat itself? The only certainty is that the world will be watching as the Red Roses chase rugby immortality on home soil.