- Rugby World Cup Weekly is your home for the very latest on RWC2025
- One-stop shop for everything from ticket bulletins to team news via player updates
- Published every Tuesday morning from now until we go daily on 18 August
- Keep a look out too for in-depth host venue guides as you plan your RWC2025
Here is what has got us excited this week:
1. Your chance to buy tickets to RWC2025
You might want to highlight 09:00 BST on 14 May in red and bold in your calendars. That is when the next batch of tickets for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 go on sale.
Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis here: https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/
Although if you were one of those unsuccessful in 2024's ticket allocation phase you will get your own dedicated window of opportunity to try again, from 11:00 BST 7 May - 11:00 BST 9 May. Those eligible will be emailed ahead of time.
2. England grab Grand Slam… just in blockbuster Six Nations finale
If the final day of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations is anything to go by, Rugby World Cup 2025 is going to be unmissable.
England may have confirmed their status as favourites by securing a 25th successive win and a fourth Grand Slam, but wow were the record 58,498 fans packed into a rocking Allianz Stadium – host venue for the final of RWC2025 – taken on a rollercoaster ride.
After falling 31-7 behind within 30 minutes, France roared back into contention and pushed the wobbly world No.1 ranked side all the way before falling to an agonising 43-42 last-minute defeat.
Read all about a stunning match that England head Coach John Mitchell said his side “had to win nine times”.
3. Rest of the best battle for 6 Nations boost
Behind the mostly dominant Red Roses, the 2025 Six Nations captured hearts left, right and centre.
Ireland, third for the second successive year, shone seriously bright at times. Two points behind England at half-time they had the champions rattled. Plus they had big chances to take down France in their opener.
In a similar vein, Italy, 40 years after their first international, showed real progress, almost snatching third off the Irish. While in a sign of just how competitive it is getting, Scotland over-turned Ireland in their final match.
Catch up on just what all this means for the coming World Cup.
4. G.O.A.T back & aiming for third World Cup crown
It is the players who will make RWC2025 the most memorable tournament yet, and they do not come with any better pedigree than Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
The New Zealander had bidden a fond farewell to the international game last summer after adding a second Olympic sevens gold medal to her two Rugby World Cup triumphs, but the lure of completing an unprecedented hattrick and extending her record as the tournament’s leading try scorer was too much for a woman widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
Brilliant for the defending champions and brilliant for all of us, full story here.
5. World’s No.1 sevens player still in frame for Australia
From one of the best ever to a possible heir… Maddison Levi has spent the past two seasons ripping up the record books in the sevens game and the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year may well get the chance to show the 15s game what she can do come August.
Here's a taster from a player who has notched a barely believable 51 tries in 24 sevens internationals this season.:
Despite having therefore never played 15s at any level, Levi and a number of other potential sevens recruits to miss out on Australia’s recently announced 40-strong training squad, have been assured they are still on head coach Jo Yapp’s radar.
6. Countdown is on across the globe
Just a week after South Africa opened up their RWC2025 year with a stylish 48-26 win over Spain, Japan got in on the act.
Known as the Cherry Blossom 15, Japan grabbed a first ever win over the USA 39-33 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Incredible scenes:
7. Top four Pacific nations in final face-off
Everywhere you look the world’s best are looking to gear up for RWC2025 and there is no doubt the Pacific Series is an ideal platform for those involved.
The tournament sees the mighty New Zealand, Trans-Tasman rivals Australia, world No.2 ranked Canada and the dangerous USA all take each other on.
The action kicks off on Friday 2 May with USA hosting Canada in CPKC Stadium in Kansas City – already guaranteed to be the largest-ever crowd for a stand-alone women’s rugby match in the USA.
Australia and the USA will warm up for their RWC Pool A clash (30 August in York) by going head-to-head in Australia on 17 May, before the action wraps up with New Zealand versus USA on 24 May.
8. Ground-breaking initiative to combat online abuse at RWC2025
The well-being of all players, coaches and match officials at Rugby World Cup 2025 is a top priority with World Rugby recently announcing:
- Pioneering partnership with Signify Group
- Action-orientated support for all
- Commitment to respectful and inclusive environment
9. Fireworks & festival vibes to light up RWC2025 opener
Sunderland in northern England is the place to be, 21-23 August.
Not only is there the chance to see hosts England take on the USA in the opening match of RWC2025 on 22 August (see top story for your opportunity to get tickets) but, as recently revealed, you will also be able to:
- Dive into a mini music festival on the evening of 21 August
- Soak up two fan zones featuring live entertainment, interactive games plus food, drink and big screens
- Check out a host of community events including touch rugby festivals on nearby beaches
10. Finally… watch RWC 2025 in style
Here’s hoping we have sparked some World Cup fever, if so, you might want to check out the huge range of hospitality options on offer at the pinnacle of sporting action in 2025.
From fine dining to karaoke via all-day dance floors, we have got you covered. Get involved.
