Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

While rights are rolled back, women’s sport ups the resistance

Sport has always been a proxy battleground, a place where gains can be celebrated even as losses mount elsewhere

Saturday, 27 September 2025

England’s resilience rewarded as they lift Rugby World Cup

Red Roses produce dominant performance to sweep aside Canada and become world champions for third time

Saturday, 27 September 2025

Effective England vs confident Canada sets up spectacular final

Red Roses’s brutal pack and squad depth will have to contend against a pacy, controlled Canadian side

Thursday, 25 September 2025

Ellie Kildunne moves England one step from glory

Red Roses battle past spirited France to seal a place in the World Cup final

Saturday, 20 September 2025

Wales face big changes while Canada continue perfect tournament

Fiji’s first victory over European opposition ended a sobering campaign for Sean Lynn’s side

Saturday, 6 September 2025

From touchline to tryline, Brighton’s Breach continues winning streak

27-year-old likes to be beside the seaside as England seal record-equalling 30th win in a row

Saturday, 6 September 2025

World Rugby to use mouthguard data to advise coaches on player availability

International rugby governing body will use data to create guidelines for each position

Saturday, 6 September 2025

England 92 Samoa 3: Bern and Muir push props into the spotlight

Another huge win for England shows value of front-rowers who don’t normally get the plaudits

Saturday, 30 August 2025

Top of their game? Red Roses must keep rising to claim ultimate prize

It was a case of job done in the first match, but tougher tests will face tournament hosts

Saturday, 23 August 2025

Canada aim to spoil England’s party

Reigning champions New Zealand are in action as the Women’s Rugby World Cup gathers pace

Saturday, 30 August 2025

England 69-7 USA: Red Roses kick off World Cup in style

Ellie Kildunne’s footballing brilliance gets tournament off to near perfect start

Saturday, 23 August 2025

Download: 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup wallchart

Keep up to date with the Rugby World Cup by following The Observer’s coverage

Sunday, 17 August 2025

World Rugby’s aim to educate players on pelvic floor health

There is increased awareness about the issue among unions and doctors, writes World Rugby's science and medical manager

Saturday, 23 August 2025

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe: ‘How can you be the GOAT if you’re still learning?’

The New Zealand great shows no sign of bowing out of international rugby ahead of World Cup

Saturday, 23 August 2025

Ellie Kildunne: ‘I was just a girl with a passion’

With her dazzling feet and magnetic aura, England’s Ellie Kildunne has come a long way to stand on the brink of super-stardom

Saturday, 16 August 2025

‘In the end, the final was lost by one dropped ball’

As they head into another championship season, the Red Roses’ 2022 loss to New Zealand still feels fresh. In this excerpt from her book about the team, Jessica Hayden recounts that emotional day

Saturday, 16 August 2025

How will Ireland, Scotland and Wales fare at Rugby World Cup?

Although underdogs, the three national teams could yet be contenders for the championship

Saturday, 16 August 2025

Rugby must step up its game on concussion

The biggest Women’s World Cup in history will bring increased scrutiny, with research showing bigger dangers for female players

Saturday, 9 August 2025

Time to bloom: Red Roses mustn’t miss this chance

Upcoming World Cup on home soil is an opportunity to put women’s rugby at the heart of the national sporting conversation

Saturday, 2 August 2025