England to Face USA in 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Opener

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The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup officially begins on August 22 in Sunderland, England, with a high-profile clash between host nation England and the United States Eagles. The match will be played at the Stadium of Light, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. ET.

This year’s tournament brings together 16 national teams competing across four pools. Over three weeks of competition, the teams will battle for a place in the knockout stages, with the final scheduled after pool play ends on September 7.

England, ranked first in the world, enters as the favorite to lift the trophy on home soil. However, New Zealand’s Black Ferns, Canada, and France are considered strong challengers. Other notable teams, including Ireland, Australia, and South Africa, will also aim to secure a place in the later rounds.

The opening weekend will feature several key matches. On August 23, Australia meets Samoa, Scotland faces Wales, Canada plays Fiji, and France takes on Italy. The following day, August 24, Ireland will meet Japan, South Africa will face Brazil, and defending champions New Zealand open against Spain.

Pool play will continue through early September, with several standout fixtures on the calendar. Among the most anticipated games are England versus Australia on September 6 and New Zealand versus Ireland on September 7.

Tournament Pools

• Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
  
• Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
  
• Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
  
• Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
  

The USA Eagles, currently ranked 10th in the world, face a challenging pool that includes top-ranked England and sixth-ranked Australia. Their second major test will come on August 30 against Australia, a match considered critical for advancing beyond the group stage.

How to Watch in the United States
American fans can follow the Rugby World Cup live on Paramount+, with select matches broadcast on CBS Sports Network. In addition, FloRugby and the FloSports app will carry tournament coverage, along with other major rugby competitions, including the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, Currie Cup, and Super Rugby.

With the Women’s Rugby World Cup gaining global attention, this year’s edition is expected to draw record viewership and showcase the rapid growth of the women’s game. For U.S. fans, the opener against England and the clash with Australia will be central fixtures to watch.