Five things to look out for on the opening weekend of the Women's Rugby World Cup

Who will get their hands on the amazing trophy?

It's an exciting time for rugby union fans as the 2025 Women's World Cup is here!

The tournament is being held across England for the first time since 2010 and all four home nations have qualified for the competition.

16 teams from around the globe are all hoping to be crowned the world champions at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September.

But what can we expect from the opening weekend?

Here are five things to look out for...

1. England's unbeaten run

Many people think that England are the team to beat this tournament.

They are on a 27-game winning run and they have won the past seven Six Nations titles.

They are also currently ranked the number one team in the world.

However, when it comes to World Cups, their record comes a little unstuck.

England's last defeat came against New Zealand in the World Cup final three years ago.

In fact, England have appeared in the past six World Cup finals, but they have lost in five of those matches.

Can a home World Cup see the Red Roses crowned world champions for the first time in 11 years?

2. A home nations clash

Scotland and Wales are both in Pool B and the two teams face each other in their opening match.

They play on Saturday 23 August at Salford City Stadium.

And it seems the two sides have formed a bit of a rivalry in recent years.

Scotland have won their last three meetings against Wales, the most recent a nail-biting 24-21 victory in Edinburgh.

However, the last time the two teams played against each other at the World Cup, it was Wales who secured a last-gasp victory after Kiera Welsh slotted an 84th-minute penalty.

Wales will also be hoping to improve on their performance at this year's Women's Six Nations, where they lost all five games for the first time in their history.

3. Ireland's return

Ireland are back!

Scott Bemand's side will kick off Pool C in what will be their first World Cup game in eight years.

Ireland missed out on the last tournament in New Zealand in 2022 after they failed to qualify.

Ireland face Japan in their opening match on Sunday 23 August.

They will also play Spain and world champions New Zealand, who they beat in November during WXVI.

Ireland's Aoife Wafer was crowned player of the tournament at this year's Women's Six Nations.

However, it's been a bit touch and go as to whether she would take part in the upcoming World Cup as she recently had knee surgery, but she was named in the 32-person squad.

It has now been confirmed that she has been ruled out of Ireland's opening match this weekend as she continues her rehab and isn't yet ready to play.

4. Record-breaking crowds

A record crowd for a Women's Rugby World Cup opening match is expected with more than 40,000 tickets sold for the game between England and the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

In fact, this tournament is different to any Women's World Cup that has come before.

At the last World Cup in New Zealand in 2022, three venues hosted matches, offering up a total capacity of 180,000.

This year, there are eight venues across the country, with a total capacity of 470,000.

Three times as many tickets have been sold compared to that three years ago - and earlier this week it was announced that next month's final at the 82,000 capacity Twickenham Stadium has sold out.

5. Ilona Maher

She's one of the biggest names in rugby and she's been named in the USA's 2025 World Cup squad.

Ilona Maher is the most-followed rugby player ever on social media - male or female - with nearly nine million followers across her channels.

Ilona gained an Olympic bronze medal, as well as loads of fans, during the Paris 2024 Games after her videos and interviews went viral.

Earlier this year, she signed for the Bristol Bears, in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.

She's also due to start for her country in their opening match against England on Friday - at outside centre.

However, it won't be an easy game for Ilona and her teammates - England have beaten the USA by 38 and 40 points in their past two meetings.

Will you be going to or watching any of the games? Who do you think will win?

Let us know in the comments below...