The countdown is on to England v USA on 22 August in Sunderland's Stadium of Light, the match that will launch the biggest women's Rugby World Cup ever.
Here is what has caught our eye from around the globe as RWC2025 fever grows:
1. Your chance to see Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy
It is getting ever closer, and to mark 100 days until Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off, the prize the best of the best are chasing is poised to head out on tour across England.
Starting in London – host of the Final on 27 September – the Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy will swing by all eight host locations, from 14 May to 6 June.
Here’s the itinerary, get there if you can with the trophy set to visit a host of iconic local landmarks alongside a range of community events.
Keep an eye on RWC2025’s social media channels for more details.
2. New Zealand’s sevens stars serve notice
New Zealand rule women’s rugby, for now at least. And a host of those who helped the Black Ferns add the HSBC SVNS World Championship title to the nation’s RWC 2021 crown may well be grabbing the headlines once more in England, in just a few months’ time.
Remember the name Jorja Miller:
The 21-year-old was not only Player of the Final at the World Championships in Los Angeles on 4 May, she was also named SVNS Player of the Series, capping an extraordinary few months for the all-star winger.
With Miller and her vice-captain Risi Pouri-Lane among a host of sevens stars putting their hands up for selection, New Zealand have some real fire power to add to their RWC2025 squad as they go for back-to-back titles.
3. Wallaroos kick-off campaign in style
New Zealand’s Trans-Tasman rivals Australia also took the chance to lay down an early World Cup marker last weekend.
A new-look side ran in seven tries in a powerful 43-7 win in their first ever test against Fiji in Fiji.
Six debutants lit up the Wallaroos line-up, including their own sevens legend, Charlotte Caslick. The three-time Olympian made her 15s test debut at the age of 30 and gave a jolt of energy to a vibrant-looking team that will take on New Zealand, USA and Canada in the coming weeks in the 2025 Pacific Four Series.
There were some concerns however, with star winger Maya Stewart and centre Bienne Terita going down with injuries. Full report here.
4. Canada dazzle in Pacific Four opener
Canada joined the ever-growing list of teams sending out Rugby World Cup warning shots with an impressive win over the USA in the Pacific Four opener.
With less than a quarter of the match to go and the home team holding the defending champions to 14-14, a shock was on the cards. But ultimately, Canada’s power told and the World No.2 ranked side ran out 26-14 winners.
“Today was the beginning of the journey towards the Rugby World Cup,” Canada’s captain, Alex Tessier said afterwards.
Catch up with all the details.
5. Maher and Kelter whip up record USA crowd
Despite not quite getting the result they wanted, women’s rugby fans in Kansas City still had quite a night on 2 May.
First up, mega-star Ilona Maher was on-hand to set the vibe:
And then, if that was not enough, world-leading centre Alev Kelter lit up proceedings with a stunning display both sides of the ball.
No wonder there was a record-setting 10,518 in attendance.
6. World rankings reveal all
With every nation’s RWC2025 preparations now in full swing, it’s well worth noting how the best stack up against each other, according to the numbers.
Take a look and see where your favourites sit.
On the back of a remarkable 25-match unbeaten run – including their recent 6 Nations Grand Slam plus two victories over reigning world champions New Zealand – England are runaway world No.1s.
But behind them, the field is stacked. Canada, current Pac Four champs, sit second having pushed the Black Ferns down to the unfamiliar spot of third.
France, who were recently just a point away from spoiling England’s streak, are fourth while dangerous Ireland (victors over New Zealand in 2024) round off the top five.
Japan, in RWC2025 Pool C alongside New Zealand and Ireland, are the biggest recent movers having jumped up to 11th.
7. Get your Rugby World Cup 2025 merch now
From t-shirts to hoodies via caps and replica balls, steal a march on your mates and gear up for Rugby World Cup 2025.
The official tournament store is open now.
Check it out, with designs highlighting each venue, as well as supporters ranges and junior kit waiting to snapped up.
8. And finally… get ready for the Haka
Whatever happens when the whistle goes in just over 100 days, New Zealand are bound to be at the heart of Rugby World Cup 2025 and that means one of the great sights in the sport will also take centre stage.
For those not yet aware, the Haka is a ceremonial Maori war dance to acknowledge and promote cultural pride. And from their first Pool C match versus Spain on Sunday 24 August right through to the end of their tournament, the Black Ferns will be performing the Haka pre-match.
It is not to be missed:
