World Cup 2025, Round One – Teams and Predictions

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The opening weekend of the Women’s World Cup 2025 promises a thrilling slate of matches, with top-tier nations like France, Canada, and New Zealand kicking off their campaigns.

On Saturday, Australia and Samoa kick off the action in their Pool A fixture at Salford Community Stadium in Manchester.

That is followed by Pool B clashes, with Scotland taking on Wales in an all-Six Nations showdown, Canada facing Fiji in York, and France going up against Italy in another northern hemisphere clash at Sandy Park, Exeter.

On Sunday, Ireland meet Japan in Northampton, South Africa play Brazil, and defending champions New Zealand round off the weekend with a match against Spain.

Currently ranked sixth in the world, the Wallaroos are not playing around. Head coach Jo Yapp has named a strong team to face Samoa. The side consists of 13 players with previous World Cup experience, while fullback Caitlyn Halse is set to become the youngest Australian to ever play at a Women’s World Cup.

 

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Already the youngest player to debut for Australia, the 18-year-old will eclipse the previous World Cup record set by Millie Boyle in 2017 (19 years and 82 days) when she takes the field on Saturday.

Halse is among 10 players making their World Cup debut, while the Wallaroos are also boosted by the return of prop Brianna Hoy from a long-term knee injury.

Kaitlan Leaney will become the 20th captain of the Wallaroos, sharing captaincy duties with back-rower Emily Chancellor.

Samoa, meanwhile, are ranked 15th in the world and will have their work cut out against the women from Down Under.

The side comes with very little experience but no lack of talent.

All 23 Manusina players will make their tournament debuts.

Keilamarita Pouri-Lane – sister of Risi, who plays for the Black Ferns – and Madisen-Jade Iva will make their international debuts.

Samoa will be led by inspirational captain Sui Pauaraisa, the country’s most-capped player with 26 appearances.

The Wallaroos have previously met Samoa once in a Test match, winning 87-0 in 2010. More recently, an Australia ‘A’ side defeated Manusina 50-22 in Canberra.

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: “We’ve had a good week settling into Manchester, with everyone making us feel really welcomed, and the players have hit the ground running at training.

“We know Samoa will be a tough, physical side and we need to match it with them on Saturday.

“There are no second chances at a World Cup, and for us it starts with a good performance in our first match and building from there.

“It’s also fantastic to see Bri Hoy back in the team. We know how hard she has worked to return in time for the World Cup, and she deserves her spot.

“We’re also really pleased to give co-captaincy to Kaitlan Leaney, who is growing as a leader in the team every day.”

Samoa head coach Mata’afa Ramsey Tomokino said they have outlined a plan for the Wallaroos: “We knew this was going to be a really tough pool. When I was interviewed at the draw and asked ‘who do you want in the pool?’ I said, ‘We’re happy with anyone but England, right?’

“And we get drawn with England.

“Then someone asked me the next day, ‘What does that mean?’ I said, ‘Because we’re a spiritual country, obviously God wants us to do amazing things on the world scene.’

“We’ve got Australia first up, and we certainly have a plan for how we want to play.

“No team comes to a World Cup to lose a game. Obviously, we’re targeting a win against Australia. I do believe it’s possible.

“It could be a pool where, obviously, England are clear favourites, but second, third, and fourth could be decided by a single win or loss.”

Familiar foes, fresh stakes

France, semifinalists in the last tournament, begin their campaign with a high-stakes clash against Italy. Their one-point loss to New Zealand in 2022 still lingers, and this year’s squad is determined to go further.

Centre Marine Ménager and second-row Manaé Feleu will co-captain Les Bleues.

Ménager will be playing her 59th cap and sixth World Cup match, while Feleu will be earning her 28th cap and third RWC appearance.

Prop Annaëlle Deshaye could earn her 50th cap off the bench should she be utilised during the match, and she is the most experienced player in the squad in terms of RWC appearances, having played in nine matches.

Starting prop Assia Khalfaoui will be playing her 32nd Test and seventh RWC match, alongside hooker Manon Bigot (14 caps) and Yllana Brosseau (22). However, the French front row is less experienced than Italy’s, who have 116 caps between them.

For Italy, a win over France would not only boost their confidence but could also secure a quarterfinal spot.

The Italians narrowly lost to France 34-21 in the 2025 Six Nations, but beat Scotland (25-17) and Wales (44-12) to finish fourth overall.

Scrumhalf Sofia Stefan will be earning her 99th cap for Italy in this match.

Head coach Giovanni Rosielli and his staff have selected an experienced front row.  Silvia Turani (44 caps), Vittoria Vecchini (38), and Sara Seye (34).

Second-rowers Giada Franco (50 caps, 2 RWCs) and Valeria Fedrighi (58 caps, 1 RWC) add further experience.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi returns at fullback after recovering from a hand injury that kept her out of the pre-RWC warm-up matches.

For the first time since Roselli took charge, Stade Rennais back-rower Ilaria Arrighetti is selected. She’s playing in her third World Cup.

France co-head coach Gaëlle Mignot said the pre-World Cup defeat to England ignited a fire in the team:

“We’re aligned with the players: everyone knows last week’s performance didn’t reflect our preparation or the work of the last few years. The group is determined, and that defeat has fired them up to show who they really are.

“We all have complete trust in each other. There’s no better way to kick off than against Italy and get straight into this World Cup.”

On opening against Italy and managing expectations: “Of course, we look at the bigger picture. We know Italy well – they’ve given us problems, especially in the Six Nations. But it’s the first match of a World Cup, and that brings its own intensity.

“We’ve picked the team we feel is best prepared to start strongly. The challenge is not to get carried away, to play with freedom and show our true selves. We’ve built the squad for balance – both in the starting XV and the finishers – to be ready for any scenario.”

Italy’s Sara Seye said she expects a physical battle from France.

“We’ve met them every year [in the Six Nations], and I think the last game we played was a good one, a close one. I’m expecting the same again.

“Everything is on the table. Cards are going to be played. They’re going to come physical, and we’re ready for that.”

On whether they’re seeking revenge:

“I wouldn’t say revenge. I think we just want to go out there and show we’ve improved and we can compete with the top tiers.

“I’m very excited, I’m very proud and thankful to the coaches for selecting me. But I’m also very anxious, because you have to prove you’re ready to be there.

“It’s always a good mix of pressure and excitement.”

Saturday, August 23:

Australia v Samoa
(Salford Community Stadium, Manchester – Kick-off: 12.00; 11.00 GMT; 21.00 AEST; 00.00 WST)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: Australia by 40 points

Teams:

Australia: 15 Caitlyn Halse, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Cecilia Smith, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Faitala Moleka, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 7 Emily Chancellor, 6 Piper Duck, 5 Michaela Leonard, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 3 Asoiva Karpani, 2 Katalina Amosa, 1 Faliki Pohiva.
Replacements: 16 Adiana Talakai, 17 Brianna Hoy, 18 Bridie O’Gorman, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Ashley Marsters, 21 Layne Morgan, 22 Tia Hinds 23 Lori Cramer

Samoa: 15 Karla Wrght-Akeli, 14 Lutia Col Aumua, 13 Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, 12 Fa’asua Makisi, 11 Drenna Falaniko, 10 Harmony Vatau, 9 Ana Afuie, 8 Utumalama Atonio, 7 Sui Pauaraisa, 6 Snead Ryder, 5 Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 4 Ana-Lise Sio, 3 Flory Aiono, 2 Avau Filimaua, 1 Ana Mamea
Replacements: 16 Lulu Leuta, 17 Denise Aiolupotea, 18 Tori Iosefo, 19 Jay Jay Taylor, 20 Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, 21 Christabelle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, 22 Melina Grace Salale, 23 Faalua Tugaga

Referee: Lauren Jenner (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Scotland v Wales
(Salford Community Stadium, Manchester – Kick-off: 14.45; 13.45 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: Scotland by five points

Teams: 

Wales: 15 Nel Metcalfe, 14 Lisa Neumann, 13 Hannah Dallavalle, 12 Courtney Keight, 11 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan, 8 Alex Callender (co-captain), 7 Bethan Lewis, 6 Kate Williams (co-captain), 5 Gwen Crabb, 4 Alaw Pyrs, 3 Donna Rose, 2 Kelsey Jones, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs
Replacements: 16 Carys Phillips, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Abbie Fleming, 20 Georgia Evans, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Kayleigh Powell, 23 Carys Cox

Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden, 8 Evie Gallagher, 7 Rachel McLachlan, 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain), 5 Sarah Bonar, 4 Emma Wassell, 3 Elliann Clarke, 2 Lana Skeldon, 1 Leah Bartlett
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Molly Wright, 18 Lisa Cockburn, 19 Jade Konkel, 20 Eva Donaldson, 21 Alex Stewart, 22 Caity Mattinson, 23 Beth Blacklock

Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Holly Wood (England) & Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Canada v Fiji
(York Community Stadium, York – Kick-off: 17.30; 16.30 GMT; 12.30 EDT; 06.00 Sunday, August 24 FJT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: Canada by 50 points

Teams: 

Canada: 15 Julia Shell, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 13 Florence Symonds, 12 Alexandra Tessier, 11 Fancy Bermudez, 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier, 8 Grabrielle Senft, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 6 Caroline Crossley, 5 Courtney O’Donelle, 4 Sophie de Goede, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Gillian Boag, 1 Brittany Kassil
Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 McKinley Hunt, 18 DaLeaka Menin, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Karen Paquin, 21 Rachel Smith, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Assistant Referees: Kat Roche (USA) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

France v Italy
(Sandy Park, Exeter – Kick-off: 20.15; 19.15 GMT; 21.15 France and Italy time)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: France by 10 points

Teams:

France: 15 Morgane Bourgeois, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Marine Manager (captain), 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Kelly Arbey, 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Alexandra Chambon, 8 Teani Feleu, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 4 Manae Feleu, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 2 Manon Bigot, 1 Yllana Brosseau.
Replacements: 15 Agathe Gerin, 17 Annaelle Deshaye, 18 Rose Bernadou, 19 Axelle Berthoumieu, 20 Seraphine Okemba, 21 Lina Queyroi, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Carla Neisen.

Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D’Inca, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordana Duca, 4 Sara Tounesi, 3 Sara Seye, 2 Vittoria Veccheni, 1 Silvia Turani.
Replacements: Desiree Spinelli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Ilaria Arrighetti, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Veronica Madia, 23 Francesca Granzotto.

Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant Referees: Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) & Maria Heitor (Portugal)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Sunday, August 24:

Ireland v Japan
(Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, England – Kick-off: 12.00; 11.00 GMT; 20.00  JST)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: Ireland by five points

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Eve Higgins, 11 Amee-Leigh Costigan, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Edel McMahon, 6 Fiona Tuite, 5 Sam Monaghan, 4 Ruth Campbell, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Niamh O’Dowd.
Replacements: 16 Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20 Grace Moore, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Enya Breen, 23 Anna McGann

Japan: 15 Sora Nishimura, 14 Misaki Marsumura, 13 Mana Furuta, 12 Haruka Hirotsu, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 10 Ayasa Otsuka, 9 Moe Tsukui, 8 Seina Saito, 7 Iroha Nagata, 6 Masami Kawamura, 4 Yuna Sato, 3 Wako Kitano, 2 Asuka Kuge, 1 Sachiko Kato.
Replacements: 16 Kotomi Taniguchi, 17 Manami Mine, 18 Nijiho Nagata, 19 Ayano Sakurai, 20 Kyoko Hosokawa, 21 Megumi Abe, 22 Minori Yamaoto, 23 Sakurako Hatada

Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

New Zealand v Spain
(Community Stadium, York, England – Kick-off: 17.30; 16.30 GMT; 18.30 CEST; 04.30 Monday, August 25 NZT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365com: New Zealand by 70 points

Teams: 

New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Theresa Setefano, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Kelly Brazier, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Layla Sae, 5 Chelsea Bremner, 4 Alana Bremner, 3 Amy Rule, 2 Vici-Rose Green, 1 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu.
Replacements: 16 Georgia Ponsonby, 17 Chryss Viliko, 18 Tanya Kalounivale, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 21 Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

Spain: 15 Lea Ducher, 14 Tecla Masoko Bueriberi, 13 Claudia Pena Hidalgo, 12 Zahia Perez, 11 Clara Piquero, 10 Amalia Argudo, 9 Anne Fernandez de Corres, 8 Alba Capell, 7 Nerea Garcia Rementeria, 6 Victoria Rosell Martinez, 5 Lourde Alameda, 4 Monica Castelo, 3 Sidorella Bracic Rodriquez, 2 Cristina Blanco Herrera, 1 Laura Delgado.
Replacements: 16 Nuria Jou, 17 Ines Antonlinez Fernandez, 18 Mireia de Andres, 19 Anna Puig, 20 Lia Pineiro, 21 Maider Aresti Felix, 22 Alba Vinuesa, 23 Claudia Perez Perez

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Kat Roche (USA) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Additional source: World Rugby