As the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup approaches, the sporting landscape is abuzz with significant events, including Ilona Maher’s debut for Bristol Bears and key matches in the Premiership Women’s Rugby.
The year 2025 is poised to be a significant milestone for women’s rugby, particularly with an upcoming World Cup projected to set numerous records. Notably, this excitement is already brewing in the sporting landscape leading up to the event, with several key happenings planned for the year.
A prominent highlight is the debut of Ilona Maher in Premiership Women’s Rugby. Maher, who is making her first appearance for Bristol Bears, has been named on the bench for the home game against reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury this Sunday. Her debut is anticipated to draw an immense crowd, prompting the Bears to shift the match to the larger Ashton Gate stadium, with over 8,000 fans expected to witness the event. The Bears currently find themselves just outside the playoff bracket, sitting in fifth place, and will seek to improve their standing in the league during this pivotal fixture.
Valentine’s Day is marked as a notable upcoming event when Bristol Bears will travel to Twickenham to face Harlequins Women under the lights. The match is expected to be fiercely competitive due to some inconsistencies in Bristol’s performance and the resurgence of Harlequins under new coach Ross Chisholm.
On a wider scale, the Celtic Challenge has commenced, featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This tournament, now in its second season with the current format, is instrumental in providing a development pathway for players who may not relocate to play against elite competition. The reigning champions, the Wolfhounds, feature notable talents like Aoife Wafer and Dannah O’Brien, and the tournament remains accessible for fans who can watch all matches for free on RugbyPass TV.
Across the English Channel, France’s Elite 1 competition is stirring excitement, with Stade Bordelais currently leading the table. The French side boasts a mix of internationals, including Madoussou Fall and Agathe Sochat alongside talents from overseas, such as Canada’s Justine Pelletier and Scotland’s Rhona Lloyd.
Looking ahead, the southern hemisphere will see Super Rugby kick off on February 28th in Australia, with Super Rugby Aupiki following suit. With both Australian teams showing improvement and the Black Ferns aiming to secure their status at the World Cup, interest in both leagues is anticipated to be high.
In England, the business end of the season in the Premiership Women’s Rugby is set to unfold, culminating in the final scheduled for March 16th at Stone X Stadium, the home of Saracens Women. Saracens will be eager to reclaim the title from Gloucester-Hartpury, who have dominated the previous two seasons.
April’s Six Nations presents another opportunity for teams to finalise their squads ahead of the World Cup, while the Pacific Four tournament brings together New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the USA to assess squad readiness.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup is slated to commence on August 22, 2025, in Sunderland, with England facing the USA Eagles in the opening match. The final will occur on September 27 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. During the tournament, fans can anticipate intriguing matchups, including South Africa against Brazil on August 24 and Japan versus Spain on September 7, showcasing a blend of emerging talents.
Following the World Cup, activity in both the Premiership Women’s Rugby and Elite 1 will resume quickly, as the sport enters a new World Cup cycle marked by transitions such as retirements and player movements, generating continued excitement in the rugby community.
In the immediate future, fans can look forward to a London derby as Trailfinders Women face Harlequins, and a crucial match featuring Sale Sharks Women will take place against Leicester Tigers. Bristol Bears have a significant matchup against Gloucester-Hartpury, expected to draw a considerable audience, while Loughborough Lightning takes on Saracens in another exciting fixture this Sunday.
Source: Noah Wire Services