Team of the Week: Women's Rugby World Cup - Round 1

Scotland stormed past Wales to claim early Celtic bragging rights in Pool B, whilst Canada announced themselves as tournament dark horses with a bonus-point demolition of Fiji. Ireland made a statement in Pool C, outmuscling Japan with a clinical six-try performance, and South Africa flexed their power against World Cup debutants Brazil.

Pool D saw Italy and France reignite their Six Nations rivalry, with Les Bleues coming out on with a 24-0 shut-out at at Sandy Park. The weekend closed with the Black Ferns putting Spain to the sword, signaling that New Zealand’s title defense is firmly underway. After an electric opening round of action, here is our picks for the Team of the Week, from the first weekend of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Julia Schell produced a breathtaking six-try blitz against Fiji, becoming only the second woman in World Cup history to score a double hat-trick in a single tournament match. Her blistering pace, anticipation, and support play repeatedly carved apart the Fijian defence.

Schell’s scoring spree started and ended within just 23 minutes, yet she also created space and opportunities for teammates as Canada continued to dismantle Fiji. Beyond the stats, her performance was a statement of intent for Canada’s intentions for a historic campaign. Schell was the heartbeat of Canada’s attack and the star of Round 1.

Honourable mention: Ellie Kildunne (England)

Ayesha Leti-I’iga was a force of nature against Spain, scoring twice for the Black Ferns and covering both wings, before her untimely exit reduced New Zealand down to 13 players. Her pace, power, and spatial awareness enabled her to break lines and link play across the park, turning defensive pressure into pivotal attacking opportunities. Leti-I’iga combined some explosive carries with intelligent support play, whilst battening down the defesnive hatches when Spain got on the front foot.

Honourable mention: Abby Dow (England)

Megan Jones was at her clinical best in England’s 69–7 rout of the USA. The inside centre combined power, creati vity, and defensive aggression, setting up multiple tries with perfect passes and blistering carries. Jones sent Perris-Redding to the ground with a punishing hit and delivered a precise cross field kick out wide for Abby Dow in the build-up to Botterman’s try.

Jones’ work rate, vision, and ability to link with outside backs made her a game-changer, while her defensive presence ensured England dominated both territory and momentum. A commanding, all-round performance that has the Trailfinders star nailed down as John Mitchell's midfield maestro.

Aphiwe Ngwevu was at the heart of South Africa’s 66–6 demolition of Brazil, producing a player-of-the-match display with brilliance in attack and defence. The centre ran hard, broke tackles, and scored a superbly taken try, whilst creating opportunities for teammates to continually challenge the Brazilian defensive line. Ngwevu’s work rate and defensive reads ensured South Africa controlled both territory and tempo. Her influence on the game was omnipresent to anchor the Springboks dominant display.

Francesca McGhie was unstoppable in Scotland’s 38–8 win over Wales, as she bagged a hat-trick which included a try within the opening minute. McGhie finished off virtually every major attacking sequence through her channel, with the Scottish faithful off their feet each time the flyer got the ball.

McGhie’s contribution went beyond tries as presence drew defenders, created space, and allowed her teammates to exstinguish the Welsh dragon-fire. A player-of-the-match performance, McGhie has announced her intentions to be one to watch for the rest of the tournament.

Honourable mention: Desiree Miller (Australia)

Zoe Harrison orchestrated England’s backline with a surgeon's precision, with boundless creativity enjoyed against the USA. The fly half nailed four from four conversions in the first half, including a tricky opener from the touchline, and provided clean, fast ball to launch the Red Roses attacks.

Harrison led the creative thrust, carving up the American defence with incisive passing and tactical kicking, to unleash England's electric outside backs. Departing after slotting the extras for England’s ninth try, she allowed Emily Scarratt to continue the attack upon her milestone 5th Women's Rugby World Cup.

Scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden was Scotland’s link and spark against Wales. The nine delivered fast, precise ball from the base, connecting seamlessly with fly half Helen Nelson and unlocking space for the backs to exploit.

Brebner-Holden’s sniping ability was on display in the first half, culminating in a well-taken try under the noses of the hapless Welsh defensive line. Brebner-Holden's discipline, decision-making, and support play allowed Scotland to control tempo and territory, while her awareness contributed directly to their record-breaking win against their old Celtic rivals.

Prop Hannah Botterman powered England’s front row in the 69–7 rout of the USA. She dominated scrums, won a series penalties at the set-piece, and carried with strength and precision to score England’s second try. 'Botts' planted a strong fend on a helpless USA defender, to create space for herself to break free and explode over the try-line.

Botterman's work around the park provided go-forward momentum and continuity for the backline, to then stretch their legs with darting runs around the edges. Botterman’s physicality, tackling, and ball-carrying prowess made her a standout performer and a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, setting the tone for England’s attacking dominance.

Neve Jones set the tone for Ireland’s emphatic 42–14 win over Japan with a display of unrelenting work rate and poise. She bulldozed over the line for an early try, giving her side the perfect platform to impose themselves. At the line-out, her accuracy kept Ireland on the front foot, while her tireless rucking and defensive reliability ensured that Japan rarely gained momentum.

Jones’ presence felt vital, her energy at the breakdown and around the pack giving the backs the freedom to strike. She anchored the forward effort with authority, blending power with intelligence in a quietly commanding display.

Assia Khalfaoui was the heartbeat of France’s forwards in their 24–0 victory over Italy. She drove hard through the midfield, scored a well-taken try, and dominated scrums with unyielding power. Her work rate in the tight exchanges kept France in control, while her defensive effort prevented Italy from finding any rhythm. Khalfaoui’s ability to blend brute force with calculated play gave Les Bleues the stability to build pressure across the pitch, allowing the backs to flourish.

Manae Feleu was a model of consistency and leadership, commanding France’s pack throughout their win over Italy. Dominant in line-outs, authoritative in mauls, and unrelenting in defence, the France captain dictated the tempo from the second row.

Her work across 71 minutes ensured that France could control territory and pace, giving the backs every chance to exploit Italy’s defensive gaps. Feleu’s intelligent positioning and relentless presence provided structure, grit, and calm authority, a rock for the forwards and a cornerstone of the clean sheet.

Sophie de Goede was the driving force behind Canada’s 65–7 bonus-point win over Fiji. She opened the scoring, slotted five conversions, and marshalled both forwards and backs with assured composure. Her intelligence in reading the game and work at the breakdown allowed Canada to dominate possession and territory.

The Canadian skipper's presence inspired confidence across the pitch, her carries carving out space and her decision-making keeping the team on the front foot. Every pass, kick, and support line reinforced her status as a leader at the heart of a dominant performance.

Honourable mention: Rosie Galligan (England)

Piper Duck was tireless for the Wallaroos in their 73–0 demolition of Samoa. She combined defensive grit with intelligent support play, turning up in key moments to secure turnovers and keep the ball moving. Duck's runs created space for her teammates and maintained momentum, while the former Sevens star's physicality and game-changing pace kept Samoa under pressure throughout. Duck’s presence felt like the pulse of the Wallaroos’ forward pack, blending power with mobility to shape the breakdown area.

Honourable mention: Kate Zackary (USA)

Jorja Miller announced herself in emphatic fashion in the Black Ferns’ 54–8 win over Spain. The back row scored two brilliant tries in her 15s World Cup debut, for a memorable arrival to the global stage. Miller's work off the ball was just as impressive, as the flanker supported breaks, made decisive tackles, and provided some nice touches to ship the ball to her teammates. Taken off shortly after the half-time break, Miller only needed 41 minutes to stamp her authority upon the Black Ferns' back row.

Honourable mention: Sadia Kabeya (England)

Brittany Hogan was central to Ireland's forward momentum, as the number eight carried with intent, repeatedly broke the gain-line, and drew in defenders to create space for her support runners. Hogan was dutifully awarded Player of the Match for her efforts, as the Irish contingent down at Franklin's Gardens got behind their back row battler who fought for every inch of the pitch.

Honourable mention: Evie Gallagher (Scotland)