Following New Zealand, it is now England’s turn: The Rugby Women’s World Cup kicks off Friday, August 22, with the host team – known as the Red Roses – facing the United States in Sunderland at 8:30 pm, Paris time. For five weeks, until September 27, the world’s 16 best teams will compete for the ultimate trophy while trying to shine a spotlight on a sport eager to flourish.
France, an ‘outsider,’ dreams of a first final
Two months before the start of the tournament, Jean-Marc Lhermet, vice president of the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR, French Rugby Federation), said that “everything was in place” for Les Bleues to finish the World Cup “on the top step of the podium.” However, he added, to ensure that their “ambitions are fulfilled,” the squad led by Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz “is aiming for the semifinals.” The French team’s record in the competition’s previous editions provided reason for optimism, with eight semifinals out of a possible nine. However, Les Bleues had never gone beyond. In 2022, New Zealand narrowly denied them a spot in the final (24-25).
Describing France as an “outsider,” Gaëlle Mignot’s team will start the pool stage against Italy on Saturday, August 23. They will then face Brazil and South Africa, before a potential quarterfinal against Ireland. If they overcome these hurdles, Manae Feleu and her teammates could meet England in the next round.
England are favorites; New Zealand uncertain
Already twice world champions (1994, 2014), winners of the last seven editions of the Six Nations, and top-ranked nation by World Rugby (the international governing body), England are entering the tournament as overwhelming favorites for the title on home soil. The Red Roses are relying on experienced players, frustrated by defeats in the final in the last two World Cups, who had made this event the goal of their careers. “It is a privilege to have this pressure. We’ve earnt it over the past three-year cycle so it’s not something we are going to walk away from, we’re going to walk towards it,” coach John Mitchell said in early August after seeing his team trounce France in a warm-up match (40-6).
If they reach the final, England could get a rematch against New Zealand, who denied them the trophy in 2022. Although reigning champions, the Black Ferns are entering the tournament uncertain, having dropped below Canada – a rapidly improving team that they could meet in the semifinals – in the world rankings. Still, the New Zealanders can always rely on their expertise in this competition, having won six of the last seven editions.
A World Cup of unprecedented scale
One month before the tournament began, 330,000 tickets had been sold – a record for a Rugby Women’s World Cup. In December 2024, organizers reported having received requests from 72 countries. While a few tickets remained available, the eight stadiums hosting matches during the five-week competition were expected to be bustling, even when England will not be on the field. The general excitement is also fueled by the presence of stars such as United States center Ilona Maher, who had over 5 million Instagram followers and 3.6 million on TikTok.
In France, the competition would be broadcast on TF1 and France Télévisions, and will not suffer from the time difference as was the case three years ago in New Zealand. It remains to be seen whether the level of play would meet expectations: In 2022, the competition offered few surprises until the final (for example, the average score difference in the quarterfinals was 36 points).
Expected impact for women’s rugby
In England, France, and elsewhere, the hope is the same: That the tournament will serve as a catalyst for women’s rugby. “It will give [the sport] momentum,” said French fly-half Lina Queyroi, recalling the precedent of 2014, when France hosted the competition. “It was one of the first times we saw women’s rugby on television. That was beneficial.”
Greater interest in the sport would likely mean more tickets sold, new sponsors joining clubs – and therefore more money to develop the various leagues. There is hope, however, that enthusiasm will not fade once the World Cup ends. This rise in popularity could also encourage broadcasters to give more airtime to women’s rugby, as Canal+ had done for the French Elite 1, having already started scheduling some matches last season.
FFR president Florian Grill already envisioned a virtuous circle and a surge in registrations. “We have 53,000 registered players today. The goal, in the long term, is 100,000.” Having more players would, in his view, allow teams to benefit from better conditions, notably by expanding geographically and avoiding long bus journeys for players every weekend.
