It feels ever closer. With teams in camp all over the globe, final warm-up fixtures nailed down and even the phalanx of priceless volunteers now in place, Rugby World Cup 2025 is firmly on the horizon. Welcome to your summary of all the latest news and views:
1. Award for Aldcroft as favourites England begin RWC countdown
Captain Zoe Aldcroft will be hoping to hoist a far bigger, shinier trophy in just over 15 weeks but still, claiming the England Player of the Season award was not a bad way to kickoff the final block of pre-Rugby World Cup training.
It has been a sizzling six months for the 28-year-old. Having been chosen in January to lead her country in to the most pivotal of years, Aldcroft got things off to the perfect start with a Six Nations Grand Slam. Add on a third successive club title with Gloucester-Hartpury and you can see why the inspirational forward has been hailed England's best.
With the squad already in training for the World Cup opener v USA on 22 August, the 2021 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year knows the pressure is on for a team that has not lost since the 2021 RWC final.
2. Brazil warm-up for first ever Rugby World Cup with victory
It is a huge few months for women's rugby in South America, with Brazil set to represent the continent at a Rugby World Cup for the very first time. And the team, nicknamed the Yaras, showed off plenty of their renowned flair, as well as some welcome grit with a 15-14 victory over the USA Falcons on 7 June.
It was the second of a double-header between the South Americans and the USA A team, with the women in yellow avenging the previous week's narrow defeat.
With the likes of electric rugby sevens winger Thalia Costa now in their ranks, the Yaras will be looking to make their mark in RWC 2025's Pool D. All eyes on their opener versus South Africa in Northampton on 24 August.
3. Springboks on track for Rugby Africa Women's Cup title
A number of fringe squad players impressed as a new-look South Africa team kicked off their defence of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in style with a 62-6 win over Uganda at the weekend.
A line-up featuring three debutants gave an idea of the world No.12 ranked side's increasing strength-in-depth. With inspiration never far away, thanks to their double reigning RWC winning male counterparts, the female Springboks are looking to make a real splash at their fifth women's Rugby World Cup.
4. Scotland announce Italy test before Murrayfield boost
It has been a great week for women's rugby in Scotland.
First up, the team finalised their RWC 2025 warm-up plans. In the first of two matches against Guinness Six Nations rivals, the women in blue will now travel to Viadana to take on Italy on 25 July.
Eight days later Scotland will take on Ireland in Cork - ideal preparation for a side that will face Wales in their opening RWC 2025 Pool B match in Manchester on 23 August.
Alongside this, skipper Rachel Malcolm and the rest of her squad learned that for the first time ever, they will host a standalone match at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby, when they take on England in next year's Six Nations. A salivating prospect for all:
5. Your chance to get involved on the 'Road to Twickenham'
If all this talk of tries and training has got you itching to get out there and get active, the Rugby World Cup App is the place for you.
There you will find the 'Road to Twickenham', a dynamic virtual challenge that invites fans to engage in physical activity, contests and quizzes to win points, move up the leaderboard and compete against other global fans for a chance to win exclusive prizes, including tickets, merchandise and matchday experiences.
There are two phases, with the first - from now until the day before England kick proceedings off versus USA on 22 August - encouraging participants to embark on a virtual journey through the eight host locations, uncovering iconic landmarks and earning points by completing a series of fun, wellness-based and rugby-inspired tasks.
Then once the tournament is underway the focus shifts to match-day inspired challenges tied to real-time tournament moments. And the big prize... exclusive hospitality tickets to see the Final live at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on 27 September.
6. All hail RWC 2025 volunteers
Talking of getting involved, the volunteer heroes at the heart of Rugby World Cup 2025 have been revealed.
More than 1500 of them will help deliver the tournament across match days, fan zones and broadcast and media areas, supporting the growth of women’s rugby on and off the pitch.
And the players know they would not have a Word Cup without them:
7. Want to eat, drink, sing & watch World Cup rugby?
Check out the below, which might just get you in the mood for watching Rugby World Cup 2025 in supreme style:
For more info on all the hospitality options head here.
8. Player spotlight: classy Canada prop DaLeaka Menin
Sixty international caps is some achievement. Even more so when you are in the front row, so no wonder Canada's DaLeaka Menin enjoyed the team's final Pacific Four Series 2025 clash versus Australia.
Just the third Canadian to reach the milestone, Menin has been a key cog in a side that won the Pac Four in 2024 and now sits proudly at No.2 in the world.
She also has great taste in music, films and books...
9. Team spotlight: dangerous Australia on the up
A little more than a year ago proud rugby nation Australia found themselves relegated to WXV2, the second tier of World Rugby's global competition. But rather than suffer, the Wallaroos found their momentum and now look set to pose a real danger in England in two months' time.
Wins against Wales, South Africa and Scotland secured the 2024 WXV2 title at the end of last year. While further victories against Fiji and the USA - RWC 2025 Pool A opponents - completed a record of five triumphs in their past seven matches.
Even in defeat to perennial rivals New Zealand in the recent Pacific Four Series, the Jo Yapp coached side drew some positives, having drawn the second half 12-12 with the six-time RWC champions.
10. Rugby World Cup Replay: Waterman ends England's wait
Some tries are watched over and over and over again, and there is no doubt Danielle Waterman's Rugby World Cup 2014 final effort versus Canada falls firmly into that camp... for Red Roses' fans at least.
Not only was it a true team effort - with perhaps Tamara Taylor's magical dummy a highlight - but it also ended a 20-year trophy wait for the women in white.
Enjoy: