Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Fixtures and pool stage draw in full

England made a winning start to their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a 69-7 thrashing of the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

England were drawn into a tricky group as they bid to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014.

The Red Roses were beaten finalists in five of the last six World Cups, with a win over Canada 11 years ago sandwiched by five losses at the hands of New Zealand, but will be the team to beat as they look to take back the title on home turf.

Mitchell’s side completed a fourth straight Six Nations Grand Slam in April, but will face a stiff challenge just to escape Pool A, where they face the Samoa and Australia next.

Should they top the group, there is a good chance they will face one of Scotland, Wales, or dark horses Canada in the quarter-finals. The draw could also see them face France in the semi-finals – Les Bleus were unbeaten before facing England in the Six Nations finale earlier this year, but lost by a one-point margin at Twickenham.

Mitchell has no doubt of England’s potential ahead of their tournament opener: “We believe this is a squad that can win the World Cup.”

As the tournament hosts, England have been drawn into pool A and played the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the Stadium of Light.

TV Channel: The BBC hold the exclusive rights to broadcast the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK. Select matches will be broadcast on terrestrial TV, with specific broadcast schedules to be confirmed in due course. Live commentary will be available throughout the tournament via BBC Radio Five Live.