Veteran number eight Nina Foaese has played in two WXV tournaments and six Oceania Championships - but makes her long awaited World Cup debut today.

The 36-year-old, nicknamed Xena Warrior Princess, captains New Zealand side Northern United and will be a driving force in the Samoan pack.

Saelua Leaula is the starting scrum-half, and the 28-year-old plays in Samoa for the brilliantly named No Idea Sports Club - of which she was a founding member. She has played for her country in two touch rugby World Cups, and steps up to the real thing today.

The young hope for Samoa is 21-year-old Harmony Vatau, who plays in Australia for Melbourne-based Endeavour Hills.

Vatau, who plays rugby part time and works as a warehouse assistant, was the starting fly-half in both of Samoa's Tests this year against Tonga and Fiji. Versus Tonga she successfully kicked five of her seven efforts from the tee.

Samoa is a South Pacific island nation with a population of less than 250,000 people - approximately the same as Northampton, the town where they play England in their second match of the tournament.

But in terms of rugby, Samoan influence extends far greater than size suggests. Many players in other squads have Samoan heritage, and three times Samoa have negotiated their way to the knockout stage of the Men’s Rugby World Cup.

In the women's event they have made less of an impact - their best showing was ninth place in 2002, and this is just the fourth event they have qualified for and first since 2014.

Head coach Ramsey Tomokino has a tough task in aiming to lead his side to anything but three defeats in England.

Australia's head coach, Jo Yapp speaking to World Rugby: "We are really excited, there has been a lot of prep to get here bit we are really excited.

"We know Samoa are a physical side and we know they are a passionate side when it comes to the nation, so we are very much expecting a physical encounter.

"For us it has been a big focus on ourselves and our processes and everyone getting there roles rights. If we can do that, then we are in with a shot."

BBC iPlayer

You can now tune in for TV coverage of today's game, broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and this very website.

You can watch by either going to the iPLayer app or website, or by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport at Salford Community Stadium

It is clear that this is a double-header. Following Australia v Samoa, Wales play Scotland at the same venue at 14:45 BST.

The majority are in red Wales shirts, who have travelled in their numbers, and are smartly going to watch back-to-back games.

Plenty of yellow/gold and blue also around, but red wins!

If you get a bit lost as to the rugby terminology, or don't know a scrum from a maul, then BBC Bitesize has produced a handy glossary of common rugby terminology.

You can find it here.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport at Salford Community Stadium

Sammy Wood is only 21 and has battled back from injury to start at scrum-half for Australia.

Her father Alan has travelled all the way from Perth to watch his daughter.

Alan used to live in the UK and has used the trip as a way of linking up with old rugby friends, so his mate, who is also called Alan, has come along to the game.

Alan (number two) is 72 and is still playing club rugby in England (he made me promise I included this).

"It has been Sammie's dream since she was six to play at a World Cup," her father told BBC Sport.

"I am British but my daughter was born in Australia, grew up in Africa and lived in Australia for the last 15 years. I am as proud as punch.

"It is party atmosphere here and reminds me of the men's World Cup here in 2015.

"Australia's ultimate goal I'd say is the semi-finals but there will be tough games, England are World Cup favourites by a long way."

Two Australians made the BBC Sport Global XV to watch at the World Cup, compiled by Alastair Telfer pre-tournament.

Hooker Katalina Amosa only made her Test debut in May against Fiji, but the 23-year-old has gone on to start four of Australia's past five Tests, bagging a try in a defeat by Wales.

Two of those starts came against World Cup contenders New Zealand and Canada to mark an incredible rise for the dynamic Amosa, who only made her debut in Super Rugby - featuring four teams from Australia and one from Fiji - last year.

Meanwhile lock Michaela Leonard played at the last World Cup for Australia and has captained the side previously.

Three line-out steals against Canada in this year's Pacific Four Series indicates the 30-year-old has the capacity to disrupt the best sides in the world.

Rugby isn’t the national sport in Australia. And when it does come to rugby, it’s the sevens format that dominates the women’s game.

They’ve struggled in the annual Pacific Four Series in recent years but did win WXV2 in 2024, beating Wales, South Africa and Scotland to secure qualification for the World Cup.

They’re currently ranked sixth in the world, while their best ever finish at a World Cup was third place in 2010.

They will expect to win this game, with their meeting with USA next Saturday evening in York likely to be decisive in who qualifies for the quarter-finals from Group A.

The other two sides in this group got the World Cup under way last night, and got it going with a bang.

Hosts England delivered an impressive statement of intent in the Rugby World Cup opener by scorching tovictory against the United States in front of a record crowd of 42,723 in Sunderland.

The American Eagles, who are ranked 10th in the world, fought hard but faded badly as England's quality off the bench powered them to 11 tries.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne marked both her scores with her usual square-dance celebration – a move inspired by one of the team's WhatsApp groups – while Jess Breach followed suit after her own double.

The United States lost a Pacific Four Series Test to reigning world champions New Zealand 79-14 in May, so England may consider this scoreline par for the course.

But, backed by a partying crowd in cowboy hats and fine voice, it was a display that only stoked belief that the Red Roses can make good on their status as tournament favourites after losing in five of the past six finals.

The attendance surpassed the highest in Women's Rugby World Cup history, beating the 42,579 who watched New Zealand win the final in 2022 at Eden Park.

Australia XV: Pohiva, Amosa, Karpani, Leaney, Leonard, Duck, Chancellor, Tuinakauvadra, Wood, Moleka, Miller, Smith, Friedrichs, Stewart, Halse

Subs: Talakai, Hoy, O’Gorman, Fernandez, Marsters, Morgan, Hinds, Cramer

Samoa XV: Mamea, Filimaua, Aiono, Sio, Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Ryder, Pauaraisa, Atonio, Afuie, Vatau, Falaniko, Makisi, Pouri-Lane, Col Aumua, Wright-Akeli

Subs: Leuta, Aiolupotea, Iosefo, Taylor, Iva, Onosemo-Tuilaepa, Salale, Tugaga

Welcome to our live coverage of day two, and match two, of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Australia face Samoa in Group A, with action commending at 12.00 BST at Salford Community Stadium.

So good morning, good evening and good night, if you're following in London, Sydney or Apia. We'll bring you all the action as it unfolds.