Women’s Rugby World Cup Teams

Teams at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

New Zealand Women’s 

World Rankings: 3rd

Highest Finish: Winners (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021)

New Zealand are the most successful team in Women’s Rugby World Cup history. With the exception of 1994, the Black Ferns have competed at every tournament. To date, New Zealand have claimed the title a record six times and they have never lost a Rugby World Cup final. Ireland famously beat New Zealand at the 2014 Women’s RWC, where they ended the Black Ferns’ incredible 23-year unbeaten run in the competition. 

England Women’s

World Rankings: 1st

Highest Finish: Winners (1994, 2014)

Currently ranked as the number one side in the world, England are one of the game’s most successful teams. They have been crowned world champions twice: their first victory was in 1994 and they achieved their second in 2014. England have contested eight Rugby World Cup finals – the only exception was 1998, when they finished in third place. Five of these finals have been played against New Zealand, however, they have always fallen to the Black Ferns at the final hurdle.

United States Women’s 

World Rankings: 7th

Highest Finish: Winners (1991)

The Eagles are one of only three teams to have lifted the World Cup. Having beaten England in the first ever final in 1991, the USA lost the following two finals in 1994 (against England) and 1998 (against New Zealand). After their initial success, the Eagles failed to replicate their early results. However, they did return to the bronze-final in 2017. Sadly though, they were beaten by France and finished the tournament in fourth place. 

France Women’s

World Rankings: 4th

Highest Finish: Third Place (1991, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2021)

France have reached the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup on eight occasions but they have never made it to the final. Their best finish is third place, a feat they achieved on seven occasions between 1991 and 2021. After producing a clean sheet against Canada at the 2021 bronze final, France will be hoping to stage an upset at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Canada Women’s

World Rankings: 2nd

Highest Finish: Runner Up (2014)

Canada are only one of four teams to reach a Rugby World Cup final. They achieved this milestone in 2014, when they were defeated by England. After finishing fifth in 2017, Canada climbed back up to fourth place in 2021. Currently ranked as the world number two, they will be hoping to hit the ground running at the 2025 tournament.

Australia Women’s

World Rankings: 5th

Highest Finish: Third Place (2010)

Australia, more commonly known as ‘The Wallaroos,’ have appeared in every women’s Rugby World Cup since 1998. The Wallaroos have always held their own on the biggest stage. Australia have never finished lower than seventh and they recorded their best finish of third in 2010.

Italy Women’s

World Rankings: 9th

Highest Finish: Quarter Finals (1991, 2021)

A country filled with passionate players, Italy have qualified for six Rugby World Cups. They made their debut in 1991 and they competed in the two most recent tournaments in 2017 and 2021. Despite their energy, Italy have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals. They produced their best campaign at the last RWC, where they finished in fifth. 

Wales Women’s

World Rankings: 8th

Highest Finish: Fourth Place (1994)

With the exception of 2006, Wales have taken part in every Rugby World Cup. However, their best tournament dates back to 1994, when Wales made their sole appearance in the semi-finals. After crashing out of the 2021 RWC during the quarter-finals, Wales will be hoping to progress to the semi-finals at the upcoming 2025 tournament.

Scotland Women’s

World Rankings: 6th

Highest Finish: Quarter Finals (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010)

Scotland have enjoyed moderate success at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. They produced their greatest result in 1994, when they made their debut and finished in fifth place. The Scots subsequently reached the quarter-finals in the next four tournaments (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010). However, following these successes, Scotland failed to qualify again until 2021. This was a disappointing comeback for the team, who failed to win a single pool-stage match.

South Africa Women’s

World Rankings: 12th

Highest Finish: Pool Stage (2006, 2010, 2014, 2021)

The Springbok Women made their debut in 2006. They also qualified for the next two editions of the tournament, but never progressed past the pool stage. The team returned to the competition in 2021, when they exited during the pool stage once more. This time around, South Africa will be looking to improve. Could this be the year they reach the quarter-finals?

Japan Women’s

World Rankings: 11th

Highest Finish: Quarter Finals (1994)

One of 12 teams that contested the inaugural tournament in 1991, Japan will play at their sixth Rugby World Cup in 2025. This will be their third consecutive appearance, which marks a huge milestone for Japan – they previously went a decade and a half without qualifying. After failing to win a single game in 2021, Japan will be aiming to set the stage alight in 2025. 

Fiji Women’s 

World Rankings: 14th

Highest Finish: Pool Stage (2021)

Fiji made their Rugby World Cup debut at the 2021 tournament. They produced one pool-stage victory: their 21-17 defeat of South Africa. Prior to this, Fiji were not invited to the early tournaments and they failed to qualify in 2010, 2014 and 2017. In 2025, Fiji will make their second RWC appearance. They qualified for the tournament after winning the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship.

Brazil Women’s

World Rankings: 39th

Highest Finish: N/A

Currently ranked 39th in the World Rugby Rankings, Brazil will make their debut at the upcoming Rugby World Cup. In fact, Brazil have made history by becoming the first South American team to qualify for a women’s Rugby World Cup. They defeated Colombia 34-13 in a qualifying match to secure their spot. 

Ireland Women’s

World Rankings: 10th

Highest Finish: Fourth Place (2014)

After competing in seven back-to-back Rugby World Cups between 1994 and 2017, Ireland failed to qualify for the 2021 tournament. That will all change in 2025, when the emerald side makes their return. This time, Ireland will be aiming to return to the quarter-finals. Their highest finish was fourth at the 2014 RWC, where they lost to France in the third-place play-off.