32 - 18

18 - 49

35 - 10

27 - 22

34 - 24

47 - 32

30 - 33

19 - 22

14 - 0

29 - 20

11 - 10

20 - 15

29 - 10

LIVE

36'

LIVE

14'

LIVE

14'

LIVE

11'

LIVE

14'

Today

10:00

Today

11:15

Today

11:30

Today

11:30

Today

11:30

Today

14:05

Tomorrow

09:00

Tomorrow

09:00

Tomorrow

14:05

Women's Rugby World Cup

What to watch in women’s rugby: World Cup pool draw

By Martyn Thomas

66 days ago

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - OCTOBER 12: England celebrate with the WXV1 trophy following the WXV1 Pool match between Canada and England at BC Place on October 12, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England will pick up pace this week as the pools for the tournament are confirmed.

Sixteen teams have made sure of their progress to the expanded tournament, and they will find out the identity of their pool-stage opponents on Thursday.

On Saturday, meanwhile, we may get a glimpse of some of the players who will light up the World Cup as title contenders Bristol Bears and Saracens come face-to-face in the third round of Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).

‘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.

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

You can watch all that and more live and for free on RugbyPass TV.

Watch England 2025 pool draw

We will take another sizeable step towards Women’s RWC 2025 on Thursday when the pools are drawn live on the BBC and RugbyPass TV.

After the full 16-team line-up was finalised at the end of WXV 2024 last weekend, the teams are now waiting to know who they will play in England next August and September.

The qualified nations have been seeded and divided into four bands for the draw, depending on their position in Monday’s World Rugby Women’s Rankings.

WXV 1 winners England are the No1 seeds and have been joined in the top band by Canada, reigning world champions New Zealand and France.

In band two, WXV 2 champions Australia head into the draw alongside, Ireland, Scotland and Italy – who climbed above USA at the last possible moment.

The Women’s Eagles were the big losers of the final weekend of WXV, their defeat to Ireland dropping them into the third band for Thursday’s draw alongside Wales, Japan and South Africa.

Spain, who won WXV 3 in dramatic fashion, find themselves in band four with Samoa, Fiji and Brazil – at No42 the lowest ranked nation in the tournament.

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi will join BBC Sport’s Gabby Logan and a presenter from The One Show to draw one team from each band into each pool.

You can find out who gets drawn into which pool live and for free globally via RugbyPass TV from 19:19 BST (GMT+1).

Thursday, October 17th

19:19 BST (GMT+1) – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Draw – WATCH LIVE HERE

Saracens head to Bear country

The PWR season might only be two weeks old but round three looks like it could be a potentially pivotal one on the road to next year’s final at StoneX Stadium.

On Saturday, last season’s semi-finalists go head-to-head as Bristol Bears host Saracens at Ashton Gate before Gloucester-Hartpury take on Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.

You can watch the first of those live and for free on RugbyPass TV, except in the UK, Ireland, Canada and USA.

Hosts Bears came agonisingly close to claiming their first PWR title in June leading Gloucester-Hartpury at half-time only to lose in Exeter.

And their quest for a return to the showpiece match got underway with a comfortable 46-19 defeat of Loughborough Lightning on October 5th. Having sat out round two they will be keen to win their first home match of the season.

Bristol’s cause could be boosted by the return of some of their England contingent, a scenario facing Saracens head coach Alex Austerberry as well.

Fixture

PWR

Bristol Bears Women

24 - 41

Full-time

Saracens Women

All Stats and Data

Saracens head into the match with two wins from two so far this season, having followed up a 38-29 victory against Trailfinders Women on the opening weekend with a 52-14 win at Sale.

Their quest for a first top-flight title since 2022 has been given an extra incentive this week with the news that they will host the showpiece match in March.

Saturday, October 19th

12:00 BST – Bristol Bears v Saracens, Ashton Gate – WATCH LIVE HERE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Lesser known names must step up if the franchise is to fulfil its aim of winning the URC and Champions Cup this season.

LONG READ

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Enforced rotation, poor results, and logistical and political issues have raised questions over the viability of South African Champions Cup involvements.

LONG READ

Return of 30-something brigade provides welcome tonic for Wales

The enduring class of Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Josh Adams on their returns gives Wales hope after a wretched year.

Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 35 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 43 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 5 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU