2025 Women's Rugby World Cup Pool A

Last updated

Pool A of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup began on 22 August 2025. The pool includes hosts and two-time winners England, and previous champions United States. They are joined by Australia and Samoa. [1]

Contents

Teams

The draw for the pool stage took place on 17 October 2024 in London. [2] A seeding system was used for the draw, with teams allocated a seed based on their World Rugby Women's World Rankings as of 14 October 2024. The top four teams in the rankings were placed into band 1 and prepopulated into the first position in each pool. The remaining 12 teams were drawn into bands 2, 3, and 4 based on their rankings and drawn one by one. [2]

Pos.Team Band ConfederationMethod of
qualification		Date of
qualification		Apps.LastPrevious best
performance		 World Rugby Rankings [3]
14 October 2024 [N 1] 18 August 2025 [N 2]
A1Flag of England.svg  England 1 Europe Hosts + Top 4 at 2021 RWC 30 October 202210th 2021 Winners (1994, 2014) [4] [5] 11
A2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2 Oceania 2024 WXV 2 12 October 20248th 2021 3rd (2010) [4] [6] 56
A3Flag of the United States.svg  United States 3 North America Pacific Four 25 May 202410th 2021 Winners (1991) [4] [7] 910
A4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 4 Oceania 2024 WXV 3 11 October 20244th 2014 9th (2002) [4] [8] 1515

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1Flag of England.svg  England (Q)220016110+1512512010Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 211010431+73165208
3Flag of the United States.svg  United States 201138100−62616103
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa (E)20023165−162025000
Updated to match(es) played on 30 August 2025. Source: World Rugby [9]
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Matches

The match schedule was confirmed by World Rugby on 22 October 2024. Pool A will host the opening match of the tournament between England and the United States. [10]

England vs United States

22 August 2025
19:30 BST (UTC+1)
(1 BP) England  Flag of England.svg69–7Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Try: Kabeya 9' c
Botterman 19' c
Muir 33' c
Kildunne (2) 35' c, 49' c
Dow 43' m
Cokayne 52' m
Breach (2) 57' m, 65' m
Atkin-Davies (2) 60' c, 75' c
Con: Harrison (6/9) 10', 20', 34', 36', 50', 61'
Sing (1/1) 76'		Report [11] Try: Jarrell-Searcy 25' c
Con: Hawkins (1/1) 26'
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Attendance: 42,723 [12]
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) [13]
FB15 Ellie Kildunne
RW14 Abby Dow
OC13 Megan Jones
IC12 Tatyana Heard
LW11 Jess Breach Sub off.svg 67'
FH10 Zoe Harrison Sub off.svg 61'
SH9 Natasha Hunt Sub off.svg 61'
N88 Alex Matthews
OF7 Sadia Kabeya
BF6 Zoe Aldcroft (c)Sub off.svg 61'
RL5 Abbie Ward Sub off.svg 61'
LL4 Morwenna Talling
TP3 Maud Muir Sub off.svg 53'
HK2 Amy Cokayne Sub off.svg 53'
LP1 Hannah Botterman Sub off.svg 53'
Replacements:
HK16 Lark Atkin-Davies Sub on.svg 53'
PR17 Kelsey Clifford Sub on.svg 53'
PR18 Sarah Bern Sub on.svg 53'
SR19 Rosie Galligan Sub on.svg 61'
BR20 Maddie Feaunati Sub on.svg 61'
SH21 Lucy Packer Sub on.svg 61'
CE22 Emily Scarratt Sub on.svg 61'
FB23 Emma Sing Sub on.svg 67'
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg John Mitchell
FB15 Lotte Sharp
RW14 Emily Henrich
OC13 Ilona Maher
IC12 Alev Kelter Yellow card.svg 27'Sub off.svg 61'
LW11 Bulou Mataitoga
FH10 McKenzie Hawkins Sub off.svg 66'
SH9 Olivia Ortiz Sub off.svg 51'
N88 Rachel Johnson
OF7 Georgie Perris-Redding Sub off.svg 20'
BF6 Kate Zackary (c)
RL5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy
LL4 Tahlia Brody Sub off.svg 53'
TP3 Keia Mae Sagapolu Sub off.svg 58'
HK2 Kathryn Treder Sub off.svg 66'
LP1 Hope Rogers Sub off.svg 66'
Replacements:
HK16 Paige Stathopoulos Sub on.svg 66'
PR17 Alivia Leatherman Sub on.svg 66'
PR18 Charli Jacoby Sub on.svg 58'
SR19 Rachel Ehrecke Sub on.svg 53'
BR20 Freda Tafuna Sub on.svg 20'
SH21 Cassidy Bargell Sub on.svg 51'
FH22 Kristin Bitter Sub on.svg 66'
WG23 Sariah Ibarra Sub on.svg 61'
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sione Fukofuka

Player of the Match:
Ellie Kildunne (England) [14]

Assistant referees:
Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand)
Maria Heitor (Portugal)
Television match official:
Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Foul play review officer:
Rachel Horton (Australia)

Notes:

  • The attendance of 42,723 was the highest in Women's Rugby World Cup history, passing the previous record of 42,579 set at the 2021 Rugby World Cup final. [12]

Australia vs Samoa

23 August 2025
12:00 BST (UTC+1)
(1 BP) Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg73–0Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Amosa 2' c
Miller (3) 6' m, 26' m, 33' c
Halse (2) 10' c, 77' c
Chancellor 15' c
Karpani 21' c
Smith 52' c
Talakai (2) 66' c, 75' c
Con: Wood (6/8) 3', 11', 16', 22', 34', 53'
Cramer (3/3) 67', 76', 78'		Report [15]
Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
Attendance: 10,054 [N 3]
Referee: Lauren Jenner (Italy) [13]
FB15 Caitlyn Halse Sub off.svg 53'Sub on.svg 74'
RW14 Maya Stewart
OC13 Georgina Friedrichs
IC12 Cecilia Smith
LW11 Desiree Miller Sub off.svg 74'
FH10 Faitala Moleka Sub off.svg 53'
SH9 Samantha Wood Sub off.svg 53'
N88 Tabua Tuinakauvadra Sub off.svg 53'
OF7 Emily Chancellor
BF6 Piper Duck
RL5 Michaela Leonard
LL4 Kaitlan Leaney (c)Sub off.svg 66'
TP3 Asoiva Karpani Sub off.svg 47'
HK2 Katalina Amosa Sub off.svg 47'
LP1 Faliki Pohiva Sub off.svg 47'
Replacements:
HK16 Adiana Talakai Sub on.svg 47'
PR17 Brianna Hoy Sub on.svg 47'
PR18 Bridie O'Gorman Sub on.svg 47'
SR19 Ashley Fernandez Sub on.svg 66'
BR20 Ashley Marsters Sub on.svg 53'
SH21 Layne Morgan Sub on.svg 53'
FH22 Tia Hinds Sub on.svg 53'
FB23 Lori Cramer Sub on.svg 53'
Coach:
Flag of England.svg Joanne Yapp
FB15 Karla Wright-Akeli
RW14 Lutia Col Aumua
OC13 Keilamarita Pouri-Lane
IC12 Fa'asua Makisi Sub off.svg 66'
LW11 Drenna Falaniko
FH10 Harmony Vatau
SH9 Ana-Maria Afuie Sub off.svg 66'
N88 Utumalama Atonio Sub off.svg 29'
OF7 Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa (c)
BF6 Sinead Ryder Sub off.svg 14'Sub on.svg 27'Sub off.svg 48'
RL5 Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa Sub off.svg 63'
LL4 Ana-Lise Sio Sub off.svg 41'
TP3 Glory Aiono Samuelu Sub off.svg 41'
HK2 Avau Valentina Filimaua Sub off.svg 41'Sub on.svg 72'
LP1 Ana Mamea Yellow card.svg 21'Sub off.svg 41'
Replacements:
HK16 Cathy Ulu'ulumatafolau Leuta Sub on.svg 41'
PR17 Denise Aiolupotea Sub on.svg 41'
PR18 Tori Iosefo Sub on.svg 41'Sub off.svg 72'
SR19 JayJay Taylor Sub on.svg 41'
BR20 Madisen-Jade Iva Sub on.svg 63'
BR21 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa Sub on.svg 14'Sub off.svg 27'Sub on.svg 48'
FB22 Melina Salale Red card.svg 73'Sub on.svg 66'
SH23 Fa'alua Tugaga Sub on.svg 66'
Coach:
Flag of Samoa.svg Mata'afa Ramsey Tomokino

Player of the Match:
Cecilia Smith (Australia) [18]

Assistant referees:
Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Amelia Luciano (United States)
Television match official:
Matteo Liperini (Italy)
Foul play review officer:
Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

Notes:

  • This was Australia's largest ever victory at a World Cup, surpassing their previous record win of 62–0 against South Africa in 2010. [19]

England vs Samoa

30 August 2025
17:00 BST (UTC+1)
(1 BP) England  Flag of England.svg92–3Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Try: Jones (2) 3' c, 16' m
Breach (3) 8' c, 53' c, 74' m
Bern 14' c
Feaunati 24' c
Atkin-Davies 29' c
L. Packer 33' c
Clifford 50' c
Carson 60' c
Rowland 64' c
M. Packer 70' m
Moloney-MacDonald 80' c
Con: Rowland (11/14) 4', 9', 15', 25', 30', 34', 51', 54', 61', 65', 80+1'		Report [20] Pen: Vatau (1/1) 44'
Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Attendance: 13,615 [21]
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) [13]
FB15 Emma Sing
RW14 Jess Breach
OC13 Megan Jones Sub off.svg 64'
IC12 Jade Shekells
LW11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
FH10 Helena Rowland
SH9 Lucy Packer Sub off.svg 64'
N88 Maddie Feaunati
OF7 Marlie Packer (c)
BF6 Abi Burton
RL5 Rosie Galligan
LL4 Lilli Ives Campion
TP3 Sarah Bern Sub off.svg 54'
HK2 Lark Atkin-Davies Sub off.svg 54'
LP1 Kelsey Clifford Sub off.svg 54'
Replacements:
HK16 May Campbell Sub on.svg 54'
PR17 Mackenzie Carson Sub on.svg 54'
PR18 Maud Muir Sub on.svg 54'
SR19 Morwenna Talling
BR20 Sadia Kabeya
SH21 Natasha Hunt Sub on.svg 64'
FH22 Zoe Harrison Sub on.svg 64'
FB23 Ellie Kildunne
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg John Mitchell
FB15 Karla Wright-Akeli
RW14 Davina Lasini
OC13 Keilamarita Pouri-Lane
IC12 Fa'asua Makisi Sub off.svg 51'
LW11 Linda Fiafia Sub off.svg 58'
FH10 Harmony Vatau
SH9 Ana-Maria Afuie Sub off.svg 51'
N88 Nina Foaese
OF7 Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa (c)
BF6 Utumalama Atonio
RL5 Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa Sub off.svg 41'
LL4 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa Sub off.svg 56'
TP3 Glory Aiono Samuelu Sub off.svg 32'Sub on.svg 69'
HK2 Faith Nonutunu Sub off.svg 63'
LP1 Denise Aiolupotea Sub off.svg 52'
Replacements:
HK16 Cathy Ulu'ulumatafolau Leuta Sub on.svg 63'
PR17 Ti Tauasosi Sub on.svg 52'
PR18 Tori Iosefo Sub on.svg 32'Sub off.svg 69'
SR19 Ana-Lise Sio Sub on.svg 41'
BR20 Madisen-Jade Iva Sub on.svg 56'
SH21 Saelua Leaula Sub on.svg 51'
FB22 Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung Sub on.svg 51'
WG23 Michelle Curry Sub on.svg 58'
Coach:
Flag of Samoa.svg Mata'afa Ramsey Tomokino

Player of the Match:
Helena Rowland (England) [22]

Assistant referees:
Clara Munarini (Italy)
Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
Television match official:
Matteo Liperini (Italy)
Foul play review officer:
Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Notes:

  • This was England's biggest ever win at a World Cup, for both total points scored (surpassing the 84–19 victory against Fiji in 2021) and overall winning margin (surpassing the 82–0 victory against Kazakhstan in 2010). [23]
  • Helena Rowland set a new record for most points scored in a World Cup match by an England player (27), surpassing the previous record of 25 scored by Nicky Crawford against Sweden in 1998, and Sue Day against Italy in 2002. [23]

United States vs Australia

30 August 2025
19:30 BST (UTC+1)
(1 BP) United States  Flag of the United States.svg31–31Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (1 BP)
Try: Tafuna (3) 27' m, 51' c, 67' c
Sagapolu 45' m
Jarrell-Searcy 71' c
Con: Hawkins (3/5) 52', 68', 72'		Report [24] Try: Miller (2) 7' c, 54' m
Halse (2) 39' c, 58' c
Karpani 72' m
Con: Wood (3/5) 8', 40', 59'
York Community Stadium, York
Attendance: 7,828 [25]
Referee: Sara Cox (England) [13]
FB15 Lotte Sharp
RW14 Cheta Emba Sub off.svg 56'
OC13 Ilona Maher
IC12 Emily Henrich
LW11 Erica Coulibaly
FH10 McKenzie Hawkins
SH9 Cassidy Bargell Sub off.svg 68'
N88 Rachel Johnson
OF7 Kate Zackary (c)
BF6 Freda Tafuna Sub off.svg 68'
RL5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy
LL4 Hallie Taufo'ou Sub off.svg 77'
TP3 Keia Mae Sagapolu
HK2 Kathryn Treder
LP1 Hope Rogers
Replacements:
HK16 Paige Stathopoulos
PR17 Alivia Leatherman
PR18 Charli Jacoby
SR19 Rachel Ehrecke Sub on.svg 77'
BR20 Tahlia Brody Sub on.svg 68'
SH21 Olivia Ortiz Sub on.svg 68'
FH22 Gabby Cantorna Sub on.svg 56'
WG23 Sariah Ibarra
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sione Fukofuka
FB15 Caitlyn Halse
RW14 Maya Stewart
OC13 Georgina Friedrichs
IC12 Cecilia Smith Sub off.svg 61'
LW11 Desiree Miller
FH10 Faitala Moleka Sub off.svg 72'
SH9 Samantha Wood
N88 Tabua Tuinakauvadra
OF7 Emily Chancellor Sub off.svg 52'
BF6 Piper Duck
RL5 Michaela Leonard
LL4 Kaitlan Leaney (c)
TP3 Bridie O'Gorman Sub off.svg 61'
HK2 Tania Naden Sub off.svg 56'
LP1 Faliki Pohiva Sub off.svg 43'
Replacements:
HK16 Katalina Amosa Sub on.svg 56'
PR17 Lydia Kavoa Sub on.svg 43'
PR18 Asoiva Karpani Sub on.svg 61'
SR19 Annabelle Codey
BR20 Ashley Marsters Sub on.svg 52'
SH21 Layne Morgan
CE22 Trilleen Pomare Sub on.svg 61'
FH23 Tia Hinds Sub on.svg 72'
Coach:
Flag of England.svg Joanne Yapp

Player of the Match:
Freda Tafuna (United States) [26]

Assistant referees:
Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Maria Heitor (Portugal)
Television match official:
Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Foul play review officer:
Ian Tempest (England)

Notes:

  • This was the first drawn result in a World Cup match since 2014, when England and Canada drew 13–13. [25]

United States vs Samoa

England vs Australia

Notes

  1. ↑ The rankings of 14 October 2024 were used for seeding for the draw.
  2. ↑ The final rankings before the tournament started
  3. ↑ This fixture was sold under a single ticket with the Scotland vs Wales Pool B match. The recorded attendance corresponds to the Scotland vs Wales game. [16] [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Rugby World Cup 2025 draw: England in pool with Australia, USA and Samoa". BBC Sport. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 "World Rugby confirms draw and match schedule release dates for Women's Rugby World Cup England 2025". Rugby World Cup. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "Women's and Men's Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 @rugbyworldcup; (3 August 2025). "From champions to newcomers" . Retrieved 3 August 2025– via Instagram.
  5. ↑ "England team overview". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Australia team overview". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "USA team overview". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Samoa team overview". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Pools | Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  10. ↑ Orchard, Sara (22 October 2024). "Hosts England to face USA in World Cup opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "ENG 69-7 USA: England open Rugby World Cup 2025 with convincing win". Rugby World Cup. 22 August 2025. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  12. 1 2 Henson, Mike (22 August 2025). "England open World Cup with 11-try win over USA". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Match Officials Appointments | Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". World Rugby. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  14. ↑ @rugbyworldcup; (22 August 2025). "Commanding. Creative. Captivating…" . Retrieved 1 September 2025– via Instagram.
  15. ↑ "AUS 73-0 SAM: Australia open campaign with dominant win". Rugby World Cup. 23 August 2025. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Graham, Josh (23 August 2025). "Samoa show there is far more to this Women's Rugby World Cup than winning in 73-0 defeat to Australia". Rugby World. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Bower, Aaron (23 August 2025). "Francesca McGhie bags hat-trick as Scotland demolish Wales at Women's Rugby World Cup". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  18. ↑ @rugbyworldcup; (23 August 2025). "102 metres made. Eight defenders beaten" . Retrieved 1 September 2025– via Instagram.
  19. ↑ "Australia run riot with 11 tries in Rugby World Cup win over Samoa". The Guardian. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  20. ↑ "ENG 92-3 SAM: Much-changed England soar into quarter-finals". Rugby World Cup. 30 August 2025. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  21. ↑ "Red Roses power past Samoa in Women's Rugby World Cup". Rugby Football Union. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  22. ↑ @rugbyworldcup; (30 August 2025). "27 points contributed. W secured" . Retrieved 1 September 2025– via Instagram.
  23. 1 2 "Breach hat trick helps England to record win". ESPN. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  24. ↑ "USA 31-31 AUS: Classic ends in draw to blow Pool A open". Rugby World Cup. 30 August 2025. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025.
  25. 1 2 McLaughlin, Luke (30 August 2025). "Australia and USA draw thriller to bring belated jeopardy to Rugby World Cup". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  26. ↑ @rugbyworldcup; (30 August 2025). "Breathless action" . Retrieved 1 September 2025– via Instagram.
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