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.

France semifinal win the "test" England needed (01:23)

England into the World Cup final after dispatching France (01:17)

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

6dJames Regan

England survive brave France to reach Women's Rugby World Cup final

England reached a seventh-straight Women's Rugby World Cup final with a nervous, thrilling 35-17 semifinal win over France on Saturday.

George Wood - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

8dPA

John Mitchell: 'I don't really care' what people think of Red Roses rugby style

England coach John Mitchell has said he doesn't care what people think about his side's brand of rugby as they prepare for the World Cup semifinals.

Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

8dJames Regan

England restore Ellie Kildunne, Hannah Botterman for Women's Rugby World Cup semifinal

Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman will return from injury for England's Women's Rugby World Cup semifinal clash against France in Bristol on Saturday.

Alex Davidson - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

10dPA

Women's Rugby World Cup: France's Berthoumieu has biting ban reduced

France flanker Axelle Berthoumieu has seen her ban for biting in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal victory over Ireland reduced from 12 to nine matches on appeal.

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

Stu Forster/Getty Images

22dESPN

Boks not scared at RWC: 'Want to play the best'

South Africa's women's rugby team still need to face France in the World Cup group stage this weekend, but have already qualified for the quarterfinals and say they don't care who they face in the final eight.

Getty

153dESPN

Women's Six Nations: England seal title with win over France

England clinched their seventh successive Women's Six Nations title and fourth Grand Slam with a 43-42 win over France.

CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images

154dESPN

England vs France: How to watch Women's Six Nations decider

Everything you need to know as the Women's Six Nations heads to Twickenham where either England or France will lift the title.

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.

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

154dReuters

England vs France: Do the Red Roses need competitive game more than a Grand Slam?

If England thrash France on Saturday it might please most of the Twickenham crowd but would probably be the last thing the team needs with their eyes on a bigger prize.

Alex Livesey - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

155dESPN

England vs. France: Ellie Kildunne ruled out of Women's Six Nations decider

England's star full-back Ellie Kildunne has been ruled out of Saturday's Women's Six Nations decider with a hamstring injury.

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.

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.

GRANT DOWN/AFP via Getty Images

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.