"England to be Champions" - 5 Bold Predictions: Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

The tournament will unfold across eight cities, culminating in a final at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 27 September. The Red Roses' 32-player squad has been confirmed today and the excitement has really been building. Ahead of the tournament starting in a few weeks time, here five bold predictions for what may unfold in the coming months.

England head into the World Cup as the team to beat. They’ve been building toward this moment for years, and it feels like everything is coming together at exactly the right time. The Red Roses have a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy, with players like Zoe Aldcroft providing leadership, while younger stars bring flair and fresh momentum.

What makes England stand out isn’t just their physicality or set-piece strength, but the way they’ve evolved tactically. Their style of play is no longer predictable. They can grind you down in the forwards or hit you wide with devastating speed. Importantly, they have depth. If injuries come, they’ve got quality replacements ready to slot in without dropping the level.

Being on home soil, they'll avoid any sort of travel and should enjoy strong home support throughout the tournament. With New Zealand, France and Australia all serious contenders, it won’t be a walkover. But England have learned from past disappointments, and they look more mentally and strategically prepared than ever before. This is a team with a point to prove and they’re in a very strong position to lift the trophy for the first time since 2014.

The USA are passionate and full of talent, but in a tournament this competitive, it might not be enough. They’ve got powerful ball-carriers and some sharp backs who can punish teams on the counter, but consistency has been a major issue. At the highest level, it’s not just about moments. It’s about sustained structure. And right now, that’s where the Eagles are falling behind.

The pool draw hasn’t been kind and they find themselves with both England and Australia. These teams have deeper squads and far more international minutes together.

Even with a standout performance or two, they’re likely to fall short in the group stage. It’s a tough reality for a nation with an improving rugby program. But if the World Cup does end early, it could be a turning point, one that forces USA Rugby to invest more seriously in the women’s game and lay the foundations for long-term success.

Ilona Maher has plenty of hype around her and will be the focal point for this side, after spending the end of last season in the PWR with Bristol Bears. She is the star player and if they are to progress, Maher will be key.

Ellie Kildunne is one of the most exciting players in world rugby right now. Every time she gets the ball, you feel something could happen. She’s got blistering pace and an instinct for spotting space that few others can match. With England expected to dominate in pool play and go deep into the tournament, Kildunne will have plenty of chances to shine, and score.

England’s game plan plays right into her hands. Their forward pack wears teams down, then the ball goes wide where Kildunne is waiting. She doesn’t need much space to make something happen, and when she hits full speed, defenders struggle to lay a hand on her. She’s also grown tactically over the past year, learning when to stay wide, when to come inside, and how to support breaks.

Of course, she’ll face stiff competition from other wingers and fullbacks across the top teams. But Kildunne’s form heading into the tournament has been electric for Harlequins. If she stays fit and England stick to their style, she could easily top the try-scoring charts.

Although Canada’s women’s rugby team is ranked second in the world and should comfortably advance through their pool against Fiji, Scotland, and Wales, they may still face challenges in the knockout stages. While their pool opponents are lower ranked, the step up in intensity and quality in the knockouts is significant.

Canada’s recent success is impressive, especially considering they have a strong amateur and university rugby system but lack the full professional infrastructure that some of their top rivals enjoy. Countries like New Zealand and England have been investing heavily in professional programs, giving their players more experience and depth.

In knockout games, the pressure is higher and fatigue can take a toll. Canada might struggle with squad depth and the ability to maintain top performance throughout the tournament.

England captain Zoe Aldcroft is exactly the kind of player who shines in World Cups. She’s not flashy in the way a winger is, but she’s everywhere, stealing lineouts, making big tackles, winning turnovers, and carrying with real purpose. Her work rate is phenomenal, and her leadership is just as important. On a team full of stars, she’s the one holding it all together.

What sets Aldcroft apart is how consistently she impacts the game. Whether England are ahead or under pressure, she delivers. She’s the kind of player you notice more when you watch closely, always doing the hard yards, always where she needs to be. And in knockout rugby, that sort of reliability can win matches.

Her rugby IQ is high, and she makes the right decisions under pressure. If England reach the final, you can be sure Aldcroft will have been at the heart of every key moment on that journey. Voters often reward flashy tries, but this time, don’t be surprised if a player who does the unseen work walks away with the biggest individual prize. If England lift the cup, Aldcroft might just be the one lifting another trophy too.