Dan Mullan - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

1dMultiple contributors

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Q&A: Why England are favourites; players to watch

ESPN's writers weigh in on the big questions ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup, where 16 teams will battle it out with the hope of lifting the title.

Alex Davidson - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

11dAssociated Press

Women's Rugby World Cup: France's Berthoumieu given 12-match ban after biting Ireland star

France flanker Axelle Berthoumieu admitted to biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal but appealed her 12-match suspension on Monday.

Alex Davidson - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

12dESPN

France's Axelle Berthoumieu cited for alleged biting at Women's Rugby World Cup

France back-row Axelle Berthoumieu has been cited by World Rugby for allegedly biting Ireland'a Aoife Wafer in Sunday's quarterfinal.

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

12dPA

Women's Rugby World Cup: France seal semifinal place with dramatic comeback

Ireland fell agonisingly short of a place in the last four of the Women's Rugby World Cup, throwing away a 13-0 half-time lead to crash out 18-13 to France in their quarter-final at Sandy Park

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

19dJames Regan

Women's Rugby World Cup: New Zealand dismantle Ireland in 40-0 thrashing

New Zealand produced a statement Women's World Cup victory with a 40-0 dismantling of Ireland on Saturday.

Grace Moore of Ireland scores her team's fifth try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match between Ireland and Spain at Franklin's Gardens on August 31, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

26dPA

Women's Rugby World Cup: Ireland ease into quarterfinals

Ireland's bumpy passage through the World Cup group stage continued as they came through another test of character to overcome Spain 43-27.

Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

32dESPN

Women's Rugby World Cup: Week 1 highlights as England deliver on expectations

After three years of waiting, the Women's Rugby World Cup landed in England this weekend. Here's what happened.

Getty

35dPA

Ireland behind Ikahifo after cancer diagnosis

Ireland's World Cup squad have offered their support to team-mate Shannon Ikahihifo after she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis.

Harry Murphy - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

39dESPN

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Squad lists, fixtures, rankings

With the Women's Rugby World Cup around the corner, here is every country's full squad and fixture list, including England, Australia and New Zealand.

Paul Devlin/Sportsfile via Getty Images

55dPA

Women's Rugby World Cup: Scotland's Lana Skeldon injured in warm-up defeat

Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon was stretchered off after suffering a serious-looking injury in the first half of her side's 27-21 World Cup warm-up defeat to Ireland in Cork.

Lionel Hahn - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

154dESPN

Six Nations and Women's Six Nations: Full fixture list

The men's Six Nations is over, but the women's tournament is just heating up. Here is the full list of fixtures for both events.

Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

159dESPN

Women's Six Nations Round 4: Best moments as Red Roses set up France decider

The Women's Six Nations continued to entertain this week as England overpowered Ireland, France outclassed Wales and Italy edged past Scotland.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

166dESPN

Women's Six Nations Round 3: Best moments as Red Roses battle past Ireland

The Women's Six Nations continued to entertain this week as England overpowered Ireland, France outclassed Wales and Italy edged past Scotland.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

167dESPN

England 49 Ireland 5: Red Roses overpower hosts to keep win streak alive

England kept their Grand Slam hopes on track with a 49-5 win in Cork on Sunday, but they were made to work hard by a combative Ireland team.

Morgan Harlow - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

169dESPN

Ireland vs England: How to watch Red Roses' Women's Six Nations clash

England have made a perfect start to their latest defence of the Women's Six Nations title. Next up will be Ireland. Here's everything you need to know.

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

180dESPN

Women's Six Nations Week 2: Best moments as Ellie Kildunne dazzles

The Women's Six Nations continued this weekend with England crushing Wales, France overcoming Scotland and Ireland getting the better of Italy.

Nathan Stirk - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

187dESPN

Women's Six Nations Week 1: Best moments as Red Roses off to winning start

The Women's Six Nations got underway this weekend with two fascinating games on Saturday followed by a familiar England rout on Sunday.

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344dReuters

England drawn with Australia, USA at '25 Rugby WC

Hosts and favourites England were grouped with Australia and the United States after the draw for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup was made on Thursday.

Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images

351dJames Regan

'Be bold, be innovative' - how women's rugby is evolving as '25 World Cup looms

With the Women's Rugby World Cup being held in England next year, organisers are under pressure to seize the moment and transform the women's game.

Alex Davidson - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

524dTom Chambers

England coach dismisses lack of 6N competition

England coach John Mitchell dismissed claims that their ongoing dominance in the Six Nations is a problem for women's rugby after his side's 88-10 thrashing of Ireland on Saturday.

Paul Harding/Getty Images

524dTom Chambers

England put 88 past Ireland in Women's Six Nations

England kept their quest for a sixth consecutive Six Nations title alive in ruthless fashion on Saturday as they scored 14 tries in an 88-10 bonus point win over Ireland in front of 48,778 fans at Twickenham.

Dave Rowland/Getty Images

619dReuters

First women's Lions tour confirmed for 2027

A first British and Irish Lions women's tour will take place in 2027 with current world champions New Zealand hosting a three-test series, organisers confirmed on Tuesday.

John Dickson/Sportsfile via Getty Images

927dReuters

Ireland ditch white shorts due to period anxiety

Ireland women's rugby swap will swap their traditional white shorts for navy shorts after players voiced concerns about period anxieties.

Peter Meecham/Getty Images

1058dBrittany Mitchell

Inaugural women's B&I Lions tour to NZ on cards

A potential historic women's British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand is on the cards according to New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson in a massive boost for the women's game in New Zealand and for the home nations in the UK.

PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images

1245dESPN

England storm to Six Nations Grand Slam

England secured a fourth Six Nations Grand Slam in six years as they beat France 24-12 in Bayonne on Saturday.