Women's Rugby World Cup: Quarter Finals - England face Scotland in knock-out stage

Friday, 12 September 2025 at 09:46

byTom Sansom

The knock-out stages of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup are upon us, with eight teams set to become four as the quarter-finals commence this weekend. The winners and runners-up of the pools have booked their place in the next round, with the dream of being crowned World Champions still alive for now.

2025 WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINALS

NEW ZEALAND vs SOUTH AFRICA / CANADA vs AUSTRALIA

IRELAND vs FRANCE / ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND

Saturday 13th September

New Zealand v South Africa – 13:00 KO - Sandy Park, Exeter

Reigning champions New Zealand booked their place in the last eight with a statement win, sweeping aside Ireland 40–0 to secure top spot in Pool C. Teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee stole the show with a hat-trick, while Stacey Waaka and Maia Joseph added further polish.

Allan Bunting has freshened his side with four changes: Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu starts at tighthead, Kaipo Olsen-Baker is named at number eight with Liana Mikaele-Tu’u shifting to blindside, Joseph takes over at scrum-half, and Theresa Setefano steps in at inside centre for the injured Sylvia Brunt.

South Africa, meanwhile, endured a tough outing against France, beaten 57–10 after playing much of the match with 14 players. Yet their historic run to a first-ever quarter-final remains a milestone moment. Head coach Swys de Bruin has reverted largely to the side that faced Italy, making 10 changes to the Springbok Women including the return of captain Nolusindiso Booi.

Lindelwa Gwala, Danelle Lochner, Sizophila Solontsi and playmaker Libbie Janse van Rensburg are all restored, while Byrhandré Dolf moves to full-back. Notably, the Springbok Women have named a seven-one bench split, echoing the men’s ‘bomb squad’ approach. The Black Ferns’ pace, power and proven ability upon the World Cup stage makes them firm favourites, but South Africa’s physical edge and renewed leadership promise a ferocious contest.

New Zealand Starting XV:

Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Alana Bremner, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Jorja Miller, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant (c), 11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 12. Theresa Setefano, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15. Renee Holmes.

New Zealand Replacements:
16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18. Kate Henwood, 19. Laura Bayfield, 20. Kennedy Tukuafu, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Amy du Plessis, 23. Ayesha Leti-Iiga.

South Africa Starting XV:

Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2. Lindelwa Gwala, 3. Babalwa Latsha (c), 4. Nolusindiso Booi, 5. Danelle Lochner, 6. Sizophila Solontsi, 7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 8. Aseza Hele, 9. Nadine Roos, 10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11. Ayanda Malinga, 12. Aphiwe Ngwevu, 13. Zintle Mpupha, 14. Maceala Samboya, 15. Byrhandré Dolf.

South Africa Replacements:
16. Luchell Hanekom, 17. Yonela Ngxingolo, 18. Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19. Vainah Ubisi, 20. Anathi Qolo, 21. Lerato Makua, 22. Catha Jacobs, 23. Eloise Webb.

Canada vs Australia - 16:00 KO, Ashton Gate, Bristol

Canada arrive at Ashton Gate brimming with confidence after topping Pool B, their 40–19 victory over Scotland a statement maker ahead of the knock-out stage. Head coach Kevin Rouet has made three personnel changes and one positional switch to freshen his side.

Caroline Crossley comes in at blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to number eight, while Courtney O’Donnell starts in the second row and Alysha Corrigan returns on the right wing after featuring in the opening two games. Tyson Beukeboom and Paige Farries drop to the bench, but otherwise the replacements remain unchanged. With Emily Tuttosi’s try-scoring form and captain Sophie de Goede’s leadership, the Maple Leafs look strong across the park.

Australia, meanwhile, are looking to rebound after a bruising 47–7 defeat to England. Jo Yapp has promoted Emily Chancellor and Cecilia Smith to the starting XV, with Ashley Marsters and Trilleen Pomare shifting to the bench. Hooker Katalina Amosa and lock Ashley Fernandez also return among the replacements, while prop Lydia Kavoa has been declared fit to start despite an ankle scare. The Wallaroos’ resilience was clear in their dramatic pool-stage draw against USA, but they will need to find new levels of discipline and execution to match Canada’s set-piece dominance.

Canada Starting XV:

McKinley Hunt, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. DaLeaka Menin, 4. Sophie de Goede, 5. Courtney O'Donnell, 6. Caroline Crossley, 7. Karen Paquin, 8. Fabiola Forteza, 9. Justine Pelletier, 10. Taylor Perry, 11. Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12. Alex Tessier, 13. Florence Symonds, 14. Alysha Corrigan, 15. Julia Schell.

Canada Replacements:
16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Olivia DeMerchant, 19. Tyson Beukeboom, 20. Laetitia Royer, 21. Gabrielle Senft, 22. Olivia Apps, 23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Australia Starting XV:

Lydia Kavoa, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Piper Duck, 7. Emily Chancellor, 8. Siokapesi Palu, 9. Samantha Wood, 10. Faitala Moleka, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Cecilia Smith, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Caitlyn Halse.

Australia Replacements:
16. Katalina Amosa, 17. Faliki Pohiva, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 19. Ashley Fernandez, 20. Ashley Marsters, 21. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 22. Tia Hinds, 23. Trilleen Pomare.

Sunday 14th September

Ireland v France - 13:00 KO, Sandy Park, Exeter

Ireland’s quarter-final clash with France pits two sides who know each other well from the Women’s Six Nations into a high-stakes knockout setting. After a bruising 40–0 defeat to New Zealand in their final pool match, Ireland have freshened up their back row. Fiona Tuite comes in at blindside flanker with Grace Moore dropping to the bench, while Aoife Wafer makes her long-awaited return from injury at openside. On the bench, Enya Breen adds backline cover with Moore and Ellena Perry also included.

France arrive in Exeter in formidable form after dismantling South Africa 57–10 to top Pool D. Les Bleues have made two personnel changes and a positional switch. Kelly Arbey starts on the wing, freeing up captain Marine Ménager to move into the midfield, while Morgane Bourgeois comes in at full-back with Emilie Boulard shifting to the bench. Manon Bigot and Teani Feleu are also drafted into the replacements. France’s blend of power up front and pace out wide makes them favourites, but Ireland will back their defence and set-piece to keep the contest tight. Expect a fierce battle at Sandy Park, with semi-final hopes on the line.

Ireland Starting XV:

Niamh O’Dowd, 2. Neve Jones, 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Ruth Campbell, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Fiona Tuite, 7. Aoife Wafer, 8. Brittany Hogan, 9. Aoibheann Reilly, 10. Dannah O'Brien, 11. Amee Leigh Costigan, 12. Eve Higgins, 13. Aoife Dalton, 14. Beibhinn Parsons, 15. Stacey Flood.

Ireland Replacements:
16. Cliodhna Moloney Macdonald, 17. Ellena Perry, 18. Sadhbh McGrath, 19. Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20. Grace Moore, 21. Emily Lane, 22. Enya Breen, 23. Anna McGann.

France Starting XV:

Yllana Brosseau, 2. Agathe Gerin, 3. Rose Bernadou, 4. Manae Feleu, 5. Madoussou Fall Raclot, 6. Axelle Berthoumieu, 7. Lea Champon, 8. Charlotte Escudero, 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 10. Lina Queyroi, 11. Kelly Arbey, 12. Gabrielle Vernier, 13. Marine Ménager (c), 14. Joanna Grisez, 15. Morgane Bourgeois.

France Replacements:
16. Manon Bigot, 17. Annaelle Deshaye, 18. Assia Khalfaoui, 19. Hina Ikahehegi, 20. Seraphine Okemba, 21. Teani Feleu, 22. Alexandra Chambon, 23. Emilie Boulard.

England v Scotland - 16:00 KO, Ashton Gate, Bristol

England head into the knockouts on a high after dismantling Australia 47–7, and head coach John Mitchell has refreshed his side with four changes and one positional switch. Captain Zoe Aldcroft returns after a two-match absence, slotting in at blindside flanker with Morwenna Talling shifting to the second row and Abbie Ward dropping to the bench.

Kelsey Clifford, who made a huge impact off the bench with two tries against the Wallaroos, starts at loosehead prop, while Holly Aitchison is handed the fly-half jersey ahead of Zoe Harrison. At full-back, Helena Rowland replaces the injured Ellie Kildunne.

Scotland, meanwhile, face the daunting task of toppling the world’s number one side after a competitive but ultimately costly 40–19 defeat to Canada. Bryan Easson’s team showed resilience in Exeter, with Rhona Lloyd and Evie Gallagher narrowing the margin to just seven points in the second half before Canada’s power took over. Their progress to the last eight marks a significant step for Scottish rugby, and they will aim to channel their attacking threats out wide while keeping breakdown intensity high.

This all-British clash promises to be physical and fiercely contested. England hold the upper hand in pedigree and depth, but Scotland will relish the chance to spring a historic upset in Bristol.

England Starting XV:
1. Kelsey Clifford, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Maud Muir, 4. Morwenna Talling, 5. Rosie Galligan, 6. Zoe Aldcroft (c), 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Alex Matthews, 9. Natasha Hunt, 10. Holly Aitchison, 11. Jess Breach, 12. Tatyana Heard, 13. Megan Jones, 14. Abby Dow, 15. Helena Rowland.

England Replacements:
16. Lark Atkin-Davies, 17. Mackenzie Carson, 18. Sarah Bern, 19. Abbie Ward, 20. Maddie Feaunati, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Zoe Harrison, 23. Emma Sing.

Scotland Starting XV:

1. Leah Bartlett 2. Lana Skeldon 3. Christine Belisle 4. Emma Wassell 5. Sarah Bonar 6. Rachel Malcolm (c)7. Evie Gallagher 8. Jade Konkel 9. Leia Brebner-Holden 10. Helen Nelson 11. Francesca McGhie 12. Lisa Thomson 13. Emma Orr 14. Rhona Llyod 15. Charlie Rollie

Scotland Replacements:

16. Elis Martin 17. Molly Wright 18. Molly Poolman 19. Eva Donaldson 20. Rachel McLachlan 21. Alex Stewart 22. Caity Mattinson 23. Evie Wills