RWC 2025 Daily - Sunday, 7 September

Keep Rugby Clean, keep rugby fair 

The last round of pool matches at Rugby World Cup 2025 was also World Rugby's Keep Rugby Clean weekend.

From the pink T-shirts to the powerful words behind them, the message has been clear: protecting the integrity of the sport is more important than winning or losing. As Australia’s Emily Chancellor said: “We’re not looking for the edge in that space - we’re looking for the edge through hard work on the field."

USA’s Kristin Bitter agrees: “There’s nothing better than achieving a goal fair and square.”

And the first quarter-finalists are...

Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium becomes the latest venue to host Rugby World Cup 2025 matches with two mouth-watering last-eight clashes next weekend.

First on Saturday, 13 September, Pool B winners Canada will take on Pool A runners-up Australia, who defended heroically in their defeat to England. "We know what to expect from Canada," said Australia head coach Jo Yapp.

Then, on Sunday 14 September, the hosts will play northern neighbours Scotland, whose captain Rachel Malcolm said she "could not be more determined" to make it to the semi-finals. Game on.

Farewell but not goodbye

Dead rubber? Wales and Fiji proved there's no such thing as they bowed out of RWC 2025 with one of the matches of the tournament so far.

"This is an awesome platform the team to build upon, and who knows, the next four years they could do something really special," Fiji head coach Ioan Cunningham said after their 28-25 victory. Wales head coach Sean Lynn, meanwhile, said his team would be "moving forward. I can promise you that."

Also leaving the competition with their heads held high are USA, whose 60-0 victory against Samoa wasn't enough to to put the women's Eagles through ahead of Australia.

"At the end of the day we've put our whole hearts on the line and that's all I can ask for," USA captain Kate Zackary said.

After the match in York, the two teams exchanged an American football and Tao (traditional wooden Polynesian spear) as well as the now-customary dance moves.

Rugby royalty... and the Prince of Wales

He may be heir apparent to the British throne and Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, but William, Prince of Wales was overshadowed by the man sitting next to him in Exeter on Saturday.

And Waisele Serevi, the king of Fijian rugby, had more to celebrate as Fijiana, including his daughter Asinate - who announced her retirement after the game - prevailed 28-25 in the final match in Pool B.

Bowing up for Georgia

Also feeling the love at Sandy Park was Georgia Evans, who recently faced online abuse for wearing a pink box in her hair.

To prove there is, in World Rugby's words, "no place in rugby or society for abuse, hate speech or discrimination", the stands were awash with pink bows in support of the Wales star.

From the front line to the front row

What do Carys Cox (WAL), Olivia DeMerchant (CAN) and Utumalama Atonio (SAM) have in common apart from the fact they all played at RWC 2025 on Saturday?

All three are accustomed to performing heroics away fromt he rugby field, too.

Canada prop DeMerchant, who scored a try in her team's victory over Scotland, is a professional firefighter when she's not scrumming down for her country.

Wales centre Cox, who took just two minutes to touch down for Wales against Fiji, only recently took a break from her job as a nurse for the NHS (National Health Service) to concentrate on rugby full-time.

A police officer by trade, Samoa flanker Atonio was taking no prisoners on the rugby field, carrying 22 times in the defeat to the USA.