Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 preview: Odds, contenders, fixtures, prediction and betting guide

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off this Friday in England and it’s shaping up to be the biggest and most competitive tournament in the history of the women’s rugby union game.

England get things started against the USA this Friday at Sunderland's Stadium of Light and with 16 nations in contention, the stage is set for drama, upsets and excitement.

Here is all you need to know about the tournament, including contenders, odds, the schedule and how you can watch all the action.

England come into the tournament as the outright favourites. They’ve won 57 of their last 58 matches and haven’t lost a pool game since 1991.

After falling short in the 2022 final, this squad is on a mission. With Emily Scarratt returning for her fifth World Cup and John Mitchell at the helm, the Red Roses have strength, structure and home support behind them.

At the time of writing, they are priced at 1/3 to lift the trophy.

Defending champions New Zealand remain one of the most dangerous sides in the competition. While they are in a period of transition, the Black Ferns always rise to the occasion. At 5/2 at the time of writing, they offer good value as a proven tournament side.

Canada have closed the gap significantly in recent years and arrive in England on the back of a strong Pacific Four campaign. Their physicality and consistency make them a serious dark horse, available at around 5/1 with Ladbrokes as it stands.

France and Australia will both fancy their chances of reaching at least the semi-finals. France, with their blend of flair and physicality, are capable of upsetting anyone on their day, while Australia’s young core has matured into a more balanced side.

A favourable draw could see either side mount a serious challenge deep into the tournament.

Brazil make their Rugby World Cup debut and will be targeting their first ever win at the competition. A pool-stage upset, perhaps in their final game against Italy, would mark a milestone moment for women’s rugby in South America.

With ticket sales already breaking records and the final set to be held at a sold-out Twickenham, this tournament is expected to set new standards for the sport in visibility and reach.

• Outright winner: England are clear favourites and the most complete team in the tournament

• Dark horse: Canada offer strong value as an in-form, well-drilled unit

• Pool-stage upset: Brazil could spring a surprise with a win over a Tier 2 side

Pool stage

• Friday, August 22, 2025 - England vs USA (7:30 pm BST) - Sunderland

• Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Australia vs Samoa (12:00 pm BST) - Salford

• Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Scotland vs Wales (2:45 pm BST) - Salford

• Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Canada vs Fiji (5:30 pm BST) - York

• Saturday, August 23, 2025 - France vs Italy (8:15 pm BST) - Exeter

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Ireland vs Japan (12:00 pm BST) - Northampton

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 - South Africa vs Brazil (2:45 pm BST) - Northampton

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 - New Zealand vs Spain (5:30 pm BST) - York

• Saturday, August 30, 2025 - Canada vs Wales (12:00 pm BST) - Salford

• Saturday, August 30, 2025 - Scotland vs Fiji (2:45 pm BST) - Salford

• Saturday, August 30, 2025 - England vs Samoa (5:00 pm BST) - Northampton

• Saturday, August 30, 2025 - USA vs Australia (7:30 pm BST) - York

• Sunday, August 31, 2025 - Ireland vs Spain (12:00 pm BST) - Northampton

• Sunday, August 31, 2025 - New Zealand vs Japan (2:00 pm BST) - Exeter

• Sunday, August 31, 2025 - Italy vs South Africa (3:30 pm BST) - York

• Sunday, August 31, 2025 - France vs Brazil (4:45 pm BST) - Exeter

• Saturday, September 6, 2025 - Canada vs Scotland (12:00 pm BST) - Exeter

• Saturday, September 6, 2025 - USA vs Samoa (1:30 pm BST) - York

• Saturday, September 6, 2025 - Wales vs Fiji (2:45 pm BST) - Exeter

• Saturday, September 6, 2025 - England vs Australia (5:00 pm BST) - Brighton

• Sunday, September 7, 2025 - Japan vs Spain (12:00 pm BST) - York

• Sunday, September 7, 2025 - New Zealand vs Ireland (2:45 pm BST) - Brighton

• Sunday, September 7, 2025 - Italy vs Brazil (2:00 pm BST) - Northampton

• Sunday, September 7, 2025 - France vs South Africa (4:45 pm BST) - Northampton

Knockout Stage

• Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Quarter-Final 1 (Pool C Winner vs Pool D Runner-Up) (1:00 pm BST) - Exeter

• Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Quarter-Final 2 (Pool B Winner vs Pool A Runner-Up) (4:00 pm BST) - Bristol

• Sunday, September 14, 2025 - Quarter-Final 3 (Pool D Winner vs Pool C Runner-Up) (1:00 pm BST) - Exeter

• Sunday, September 14, 2025 - Quarter-Final 4 (Pool A Winner vs Pool B Runner-Up) (4:00 pm BST) - Bristol

• Friday, September 19, 2025 - Semi-Final 1 (QF1 Winner vs QF2 Winner) (7:00 pm BST) - Bristol

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Semi-Final 2 (QF3 Winner vs QF4 Winner) (3:30 pm BST) - Bristol

• Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Bronze Final (SF1 Loser vs SF2 Loser) (12:30 pm BST) - Twickenham

• Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Final (SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner) (4:00 pm BST) - Twickenham

• Tournament dates: Friday 22 August to Saturday 27 September 2025

• Opening match: England vs USA at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland

• Venues: Matches hosted across Sunderland, Bristol, York, Brighton, Manchester, Exeter, Northampton and Twickenham

• UK coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website

View the latest rugby union odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.