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Women's Rugby World Cup

England desperate to get it over the line – Maggie Alphonsi on RWC 2025 chances

By PA
YORK, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Maggie Alphonsi and Jodie Ounsley pose during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 ticket applications launch at City Cruises York on November 5, 2024 in York, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes - World Rugby via Getty Images)

Former World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi believes England will be “desperate” to get over the line and win next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

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The Red Roses are competing on home soil at the 2025 World Cup and will be aiming to go one step further following a difficult loss in the 2021 final, where New Zealand came from behind to clinch their sixth title with a 34-31 victory at Eden Park.

The Black Ferns have been a constant thorn in England’s side at World Cups, beating them in five finals since 2002.

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

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    ‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

    With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
    in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
    will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

    Register now for the ticket presale

    England’s World Cup opener at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is now only nine months away and the team are in a strong position having not tasted defeat since that 2021 final loss and currently ranked number one in the world.

    Additionally, they recorded victories over New Zealand in September and October this year and Alphonsi hopes England can channel some of that success for the World Cup, which has already seen over 130,000 tickets sold through pre-sales.

    “England definitely need to take and harness all the success they’ve had against New Zealand in between World Cups,” Alphonsi told the PA news agency.

    “Some might say they have a mental block when it comes to playing New Zealand in a World Cup because England, even the teams I’ve been part of, have never beaten New Zealand in a World Cup.

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    “England have to really channel that success and confidence of beating New Zealand in between to harness that for the World Cup.

    “But at the same time, England can’t think about New Zealand, because if you spend too much time thinking about them then all of a sudden other teams sneak through.

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    “Canada, we played them in the final in 2014 and at one stage I think they probably could have knocked us out of that tournament.

    “I think for England it’s all about that mentality as well as physical strength and fitness, have they got the mindset to get it over the line?

    “That’s going to be the big thing because they’ve missed out so many times, they’ve been in every final, but it’s been 10 years since we last won a World Cup. They’re going to want to desperately get it over the line this time around.”

    England’s last taste of World Cup glory came in 2014 when they claimed a 21-9 victory over Canada in Paris.

    Alphonsi was part of that team and announced her international retirement shortly after the triumph, admitting it was a “relief” to finally secure the trophy.

    “It was amazing because it was a tournament in France and I think I’d started to see women’s rugby get much more attention,” Alphonsi added.

    “When we won it in 2014, for me personally it was a relief. For me and my teammates it was 12 years on that journey of trying to get to that point of winning that World Cup and we finally did it.

    “It was a really amazing occasion because family and friends were able to come out and see France, it was very special.”

    The Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 gets underway at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday, August 22 and runs until September 27. General sale ticket applications for all matches are available until 11am (GMT) November 19 2024.

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    Comments

    1 Comment
    S
    SadersMan 185 days ago

    A bit arrogant to start selecting the finalists this far out. We only need look at the semis in RWC2021 (2022) to know that the Final could just as easily have been CAN v FRA. Or CAN v NZL, or ENG v FRA.


    Also, drawing on pre RWC2025 wins will mean nothing. You have to start the campaign from the floor. Otherwise, you subconsciously create an entitlement mentality. Good luck to all teams, esp the Black Ferns.

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    Comments on RugbyPass

    C
    Cantab 6 days ago
    Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

    Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

    4 Go to comments
    J
    James 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

    I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


    Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 6 days ago
    'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

    I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

    Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

    Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

    Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

    91 Go to comments
    J
    JM 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

    Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

    I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

    Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

    I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 6 days ago
    'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

    He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

    Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

    4 Go to comments
    O
    OJohn 6 days ago
    Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

    Hooray

    0 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    He was also a YC magnet.

    37 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

    37 Go to comments
    S
    Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago
    Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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    0 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


    Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

    37 Go to comments
    B
    BC 6 days ago
    Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

    I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

    1 Go to comments
    O
    Otagoman II 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    👍

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 6 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Hang on to Miz Carlos!

    37 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ 'If any Welsh side makes the URC knockout games, it will be worth applauding’ 'If any Welsh side makes the URC knockout games, it will be worth applauding’
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