Women's Rugby On The Rise - The 2025 World Cup On The Horizon

Let's be honest – women's rugby has absolutely exploded in recent years, and it's been incredible to watch. The game has transformed from something you'd catch glimpses of on weekend highlights to must-watch rugby that has us all glued to our screens.

What's driving this surge? It's a perfect storm of investment, visibility, and pure talent coming together at just the right time.

Real investment is making a difference: World Rugby isn't just talking the talk – they're putting serious money where their mouth is. That £6.4m investment in WXV? It means the elite players are getting the regular, high-level competition they deserve, and the difference in quality is obvious to anyone watching.

Finally getting the coverage it deserves: Remember when you had to hunt around obscure streaming services to watch women's rugby? Those days are over. The BBC securing exclusive rights to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is massive – free-to-air coverage means your nan can watch alongside you, and that's how sports truly grow.

Stars who inspire the next generation: Emily Scarratt heading to her fifth World Cup is the stuff of legends. And players like USA's Ilona Maher aren't just brilliant on the pitch – they're building communities and inspiring young players who see themselves in these athletes.

Here's everything you need to know about what's shaping up to be the biggest women's rugby tournament we've ever seen:

When & Where: 22 August – 27 September 2025, right here in England. We're talking matches across eight cities from Sunderland to London – this isn't just a tournament, it's a nationwide celebration.

The Teams: 16 nations battling it out, including some brilliant newcomers like Brazil alongside the usual suspects. England kicks things off against the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on 22 August – what a way to start!

The Final: 27 September at Twickenham, and it's already sold out. All 82,000 seats gone. That tells you everything about where women's rugby is right now.

England's Squad: 32 players packed with experience and hungry for success. With Emily Scarratt chasing history and captain Zoe Aldcroft leading the charge, this team means business. Their recent record speaks for itself – 50 wins in 51 matches is just ridiculous.

But let's not forget the Black Ferns. New Zealand won't give up their crown without a fight.

It's about dreams becoming reality: When young players step onto our pitches, they're not just playing for fun anymore (though that's still important!). They're chasing dreams that now include realistic pathways to international rugby and World Cup glory.

The pathway is clearer than ever: WXV, Pacific Four, regional competitions – there's now a proper ladder from grassroots through to the elite level. Players can see exactly where their hard work might take them.

Community connection: This World Cup isn't just happening to us – it's happening with us. Fan zones are popping up everywhere, from Sunderland to London. It's the perfect opportunity for clubs like to bring people together, host watch parties, and maybe run some skills sessions while we're at it.

This Women's Rugby World Cup isn't just another tournament – it's a statement. Women's rugby has arrived, and it's here to stay. Let's get behind the Red Roses, celebrate the sport we love, and use this incredible momentum to drive our club forward. 

We are working hard on releasing some new colours and bundles that support the women's game even further, keep your eyes peeled...