Team News - Women's Rugby World Cup Round 3: How does your team line-up for their final pool match?

Saturday, 06 September 2025 at 11:36

byTom Sansom

The third and final round of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stages kick off today, as the quarter-finals begin to take shape across England. Seven out of eight sides have already qualified for the knock-out stage, with either Australia or the USA set to take that coveted eighth spot and progress to the next round of the competition.

We know that the septet of England (Pool A), Canada, Scotland (Pool B), New Zealand, Ireland (Pool C), France and South Africa (Pool D) have all qualified for the quarter-finals. However, this third round of the group stages will determine the pool winners and runners-up, with plenty on the line before we enter the uncharted realms of knock-out rugby in a week's time.

Those sides who have not reached the next round are playing for pride this weekend, as Samoa, Wales, Fiji, Japan, Spain, Italy and Brazil are all heading home come the end of the round. So, with one last run out for several sides, and with plenty of progression importance on the line for the qualified nations, here is a run-down of all the team news ahead of round three of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Saturday 6th September

CANADA vs SCOTLAND - Pool B

12:00 KO - Sandy Park, Exeter

Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has confirmed his matchday 23 for the Pool B decider against Scotland at Sandy Park, with the quarter-final places already secured but top spot still on the line. History will be made as lock Tyson Beukeboom wins her 81st cap, becoming the most capped Canadian player of all time across men’s and women’s rugby. Fellow forwards Brittany Kassil and Courtney Holtkamp are set for their 50th appearances from the bench, while Sophie de Goede has overtaken Magali Harvey as Canada’s all-time leading scorer. After overcoming injury, Laetitia Royer also features among the replacements.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson makes two changes to the starting XV that defeated Fiji, with Lisa Cockburn making her Rugby World Cup debut at tight-head and Lana Skeldon returning at hooker. Second row Sarah Bonar will win her 50th cap alongside the ever-present Emma Wassell, while the in-form back row of Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher remains intact. Molly Poolman and Evie Wills could debut from the bench.

Canada Starting XV:

Canada Replacements:
16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Olivia DeMerchant, 19. Laetitia Royer, 20. Courtney O'Donnell, 21. Caroline Crossley, 22. Olivia Apps, 23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Scotland Starting XV:

Scotland Replacements:
16. Elis Martin, 17. Anne Young, 18. Molly Poolman, 19. Jade Konkel, 20. Eva Donaldson, 21. Alex Stewart, 22. Caity Mattinson, 23. Evie Wills.

USA vs SAMOA - Pool A

13:30 KO - LNER Community Stadium, York

Samoa head coach Ramsey Tomokino has made nine changes to his side for their final Pool A match against USA at York Community Stadium on Saturday, 6 September. Four changes come in the forwards and five in the backs, with two positional switches. Vice-captain Denise Aiolupotea, Harmony Vatau and Karla Wright-Akeli will all win their 10th caps. Vatau, Samoa’s penalty-kicking heroine against England, moves to inside centre while Wright-Akeli shifts to fly-half having started at full-back last week.

USA head coach Sione Fukofuka names a largely settled side following their 31-31 draw with Australia. The pack remains unchanged, but there are two personnel changes and two positional switches in the backline. Gabriella Cantorna comes in at inside centre with Emily Henrich moving to the wing, while Sariah Ibarra replaces Lotte Sharp at full-back.

USA Starting XV:

Hope Rogers, 2. Kathryn Treder, 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu, 4. Hallie Taufoou, 5. Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 6. Freda Tafuna, 7. Kate Zackary (C), 8. Rachel Johnson, 9. Cassidy Bargell, 10. McKenzie Hawkins, 11. Erica Coulibaly, 12. Gabriella Cantorna, 13. Ilona Maher, 14. Emily Henrich, 15. Sariah Ibarra.

USA Replacements:
16. Paige Stathopoulos, 17. Maya Learned, 18. Alivia Leatherman, 19. Tahlia Brody, 20. Georgie Perris-Redding, 21. Olivia Ortiz, 22. Kristin Bitter, 23. Alev Kelter.

Samoa Starting XV:

Denise Aiolupotea, 2. Avau Filimaua, 3. Tori Iosefo, 4. Ana-Lise Sio, 5. Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 6. Utumalama Atonio, 7. Sui Pauaraisa, 8. Joanna Fanene Lolo, 9. Ana Afuie, 10. Karla Wright-Akeli, 11. Drenna Falaniko, 12. Harmony Vatau, 13. Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, 14. Lutia Col Aumua, 15. Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung.

Samoa Replacements:
16. Faith Nonutunu, 17. Ana Mamea, 18. Glory Aiono, 19. JayJay Taylor, 20. Nina Foaese, 21. Sinead Ryder, 22. Faalua Tugaga, 23. Fa’asua Makisi.

WALES vs FIJI - Pool B

14:45 KO - Sandy Park, Exeter

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has named his matchday 23 for Saturday’s Pool B clash with Fiji at Sandy Park. The fixture marks the first-ever women’s test between the two nations. There are four changes and two positional switches from the side that faced Canada. Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams both return to the back row, while experienced hooker Carys Phillips comes into the front row. Georgia Evans shifts from number eight to lock, pairing with Gwen Crabb, and Kayleigh Powell makes her first start of the competition at full-back, with Nel Metcalfe moving out to the wing.

Fiji head coach Ioan Cunningham has also made several changes from the side that faced Scotland. Karalaini Naisewa and Keleni Marawa join the front row, while Asinate Serevi replaces Mereoni Nakesa in the second row after impressing in training. Repeka Tove returns to the right wing and Kolora Lomani steps into the left wing berth.

Wales Starting XV:

Maisie Davies, 2. Carys Phillips, 3. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4. Georgia Evans, 5. Gwen Crabb, 6. Kate Williams, 7. Bethan Lewis, 8. Alex Callender, 9. Keira Bevan, 10. Lleucu George, 11. Nel Metcalfe, 12. Courtney Keight, 13. Carys Cox, 14. Lisa Neumann, 15. Kayleigh Powell.

Wales Replacements:
16. Molly Reardon, 17. Gwenllian Pyrs, 18. Donna Rose, 19. Abbie Fleming, 20. Bryonie King, 21. Seren Lockwood, 22. Hannah Dallavalle, 23. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers.

Fiji Starting XV:

Karalaini Naisewa, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Vika Matarugu, 4. Jade Coates, 5. Asinate Serevi, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Alfreda Fisher, 8. Manuqalo Komaitai, 9. Setaita Railumu, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Kolora Lomani, 12. Josifini Neihamu, 13. Verenaisi Ditavutu, 14. Repeka Adi Tove, 15. Litiana Vueti.

Fiji Replacements:
16. Selai Naliva, 17. Carletta Yee, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Mereoni Nakesa, 20. Sulita Waisega, 21. Repeka Mata, 22. Kelerayani Luvu, 23. Adi Salote Nailolo.

ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA - Pool A

American Express Stadium, Brighton

England head coach John Mitchell has reverted largely to the team that opened their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign against USA, as the Red Roses prepare for their decisive Pool A clash with Australia in Brighton on Saturday. With captain Zoe Aldcroft absent from the matchday 23, Alex Matthews will lead the side, moving to number eight. Morwenna Talling shifts to the back row, while Rosie Galligan comes into the second row. Wing Jess Breach, fresh from a hat-trick against Samoa that saw her surpass 50 international tries, will win her 50th cap. Holly Aitchison is named among the replacements for her first appearance of the tournament.

For Australia, head coach Jo Yapp welcomes back skipper Siokapesi Palu after a foot injury ruled her out since July. Palu starts in the back row, with Adiana Talakai also coming in at hooker. Trilleen Pomare and Cecilia Smith swap roles, while a reshaped front row sees Lydia Kavoa and Eva Karpani join Talakai.

England Starting XV:

Hannah Botterman, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Maud Muir, 4. Rosie Galligan, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Morwenna Talling, 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Alex Matthews (C), 9. Natasha Hunt, 10. Zoe Harrison, 11. Jess Breach, 12. Tatyana Heard, 13. Megan Jones, 14. Abby Dow, 15. Ellie Kildunne.

England Replacements:
16. Lark Atkin-Davies, 17. Kelsey Clifford, 18. Sarah Bern, 19. Lilli Ives Campion, 20. Maddie Feaunati, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Helena Rowland.

Australia Starting XV:

Lydia Kavoa, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Piper Duck, 7. Ashley Marsters, 8. Siokapesi Palu (C), 9. Samantha Wood, 10. Faitala Moleka, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Trilleen Pomare, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Caitlyn Halse.

Australia Replacements:
16. Tania Naden, 17. Faliki Pohiva, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 19. Annabelle Codey, 20. Emily Chancellor, 21. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 22. Tia Hinds, 23. Cecilia Smith.

Sunday 7th September

JAPAN vs SPAIN - Pool C

12:00 KO - LNER Community Stadium, York

Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie has made three changes to her starting XV for their final Pool C clash of Rugby World Cup 2025, against Spain in York. In the pack, Jennifer Nduka comes in at number eight in place of Seina Saito, who shifts to the bench. At scrum-half, Megumi Abe earns a start ahead of Moe Tsukui, while Misaki Matsumura is selected on the right wing, with Sakurako Hatada dropping out of the matchday 23. Mele Yua Havili Kagawa provides outside back cover from the bench.

Spain head coach Juan Gonzalez has opted for wider changes, making seven personnel switches and one positional move. A completely new-look front row sees Inés Antolínez, Cristina Blanco and Sidorella Bracic start, while Mónica Castelo joins captain Lourdes Alameda in the second row. Ana Peralta moves to blindside flanker with Nerea García starting at openside, and Alba Capell comes in at number eight. Lea Ducher is the sole change in the backs, slotting in at inside centre.

Japan Starting XV:

Sachiko Kato, 2. Asuka Kuge, 3. Wako Kitano, 4. Yuna Sato, 5. Otoka Yoshimura, 6. Masami Kawamura, 7. Iroha Nagata, 8. Jennifer Nduka, 9. Megumi Abe, 10. Ayasa Otsuka, 11. Komachi Imakugi, 12. Haruka Hirotsu, 13. Mana Furuta, 14. Misaki Matsumura, 15. Sora Nishimura.

Japan Replacements:
16. Kotomi Taniguchi, 17. Manami Mine, 18. Nijiho Nagata, 19. Ayano Sakurai, 20. Seina Saito, 21. Moe Tsukui, 22. Minori Yamamoto, 23. Mele Yua Havili Kagawa.

Spain Starting XV:

Inés Antolínez Fernández, 2. Cristina Blanco Herrera, 3. Sidorella Bracic Rodríguez, 4. Mónica Castelo, 5. Lourdes Alameda, 6. Ana Peralta Baquet, 7. Nerea García Rementería, 8. Alba Capell, 9. Anne Fernández de Corres, 10. Zahia Pérez, 11. Clara Piquero, 12. Lea Ducher, 13. Claudia Peña Hidalgo, 14. Claudia Pérez Pérez, 15. Amalia Argudo.

Spain Replacements:
16. Marieta Román Mallén, 17. Gemma Silva Sierra, 18. Mireia De Andrés, 19. Victoria Rosell Martínez, 20. Valentina Lucía Pérez Márquez, 21. Ariadna Bingbing Vergara Piqueras, 22. Tecla Masoko Bueriberi, 23. Ana Cortés.

ITALY vs BRAZIL - Pool D

14:00 KO - Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Italy head coach Fabio Roselli has named his matchday 23 to face Brazil in Pool D at Franklin’s Gardens, making nine changes from the side that took on South Africa. Giada Corradini wins her second cap at outside centre, while Sara Mannini starts at inside centre alongside her. Francesca Granzotto is named on the left wing, with Veronica Madia and Alia Bitonci forming the half-back pairing. In the pack, Gaia Maris returns at loosehead prop, Valeria Fedrighi and Alessandra Frangipani make up a new-look second row, and Isabella Locatelli starts at openside flanker.

Brazil head coach Emiliano Caffera has made sweeping changes, with 13 new faces in the starting XV from the side beaten by France. Only flanker Larissa Carvalho and full-back Fernanda Tenorio keep their places. Bianca Silva, who scored off the bench against France, starts on the left wing, while experienced playmaker Raquel Kochhann returns at fly-half.

Italy Starting XV:

Gaia Maris, 2. Vittoria Vecchini, 3. Sara Seye, 4. Valeria Fedrighi, 5. Alessandra Frangipani, 6. Francesca Sgorbini, 7. Isabella Locatelli, 8. Elisa Giordano, 9. Alia Bitonci, 10. Veronica Madia, 11. Francesca Granzotto, 12. Sara Mannini, 13. Giada Corradini, 14. Aura Muzzo, 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.

Italy Replacements:
16. Laura Gurioli, 17. Silvia Turani, 18. Alessia Pilani, 19. Beatrice Veronese, 20. Alissa Ranuccini, 21. Sofia Stefan, 22. Emma Stevanin, 23. Gaia Buso.

Brazil Starting XV:

Franciele Barros, 2. Júlia Leni, 3. Pamela Santos, 4. Eshyllen Coimbra, 5. Dayana Dakar, 6. Larissa Henwood, 7. Larissa Carvalho, 8. Camilla Carvalho, 9. Aline Mayumi Bednarski, 10. Raquel Kochhann, 11. Bianca Silva, 12. Mariana Nicolau, 13. Marina Fioravanti, 14. Giovanna Barth, 15. Fernanda Tenorio.

Brazil Replacements:
16. Isabela Saccomanno, 17. Taís Prioste, 18. Giovana Mamede, 19. Marcelle Cruz, 20. Ana Carolina Santana, 21. Leticia Medeiros, 22. Leila Silva, 23. Edna Santini.

NEW ZEALAND vs IRELAND - Pool C

14:45 KO - American Express Stadium, Brighton

New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting has made two personnel changes and four positional switches for the Black Ferns’ Pool C clash with Ireland in Brighton. In the forwards, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u returns at number eight, with Layla Sae moving to blindside flanker and Jorja Miller shifting across to openside. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu drops to the bench. In the back line, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe switches wings, Braxton Sorensen-McGee moves to the right, and Renee Holmes starts at full-back. Props Vici-Rose Green and Amy Rule join the bench alongside Ayesha Leti-I’iga.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has also refreshed his team, making five changes. Neve Jones starts at hooker, Ruth Campbell partners Sam Monaghan in the second row, while Grace Moore moves to blindside and Brittany Hogan starts at number eight. Edel McMahon captains from openside. In the backs, Aoibheann Reilly is named at scrum-half and Béibhinn Parsons returns on the wing.

New Zealand Starting XV:

Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Alana Bremner, 6. Layla Sae, 7. Jorja Miller, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9. Risi Pouri-Lane, 10. Ruahei Demant, 11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 12. Sylvia Brunt, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15. Renee Holmes.

New Zealand Replacements:
16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Kate Henwood, 18. Amy Rule, 19. Laura Bayfield, 20. Kennedy Tukuafu, 21. Maia Joseph, 22. Theresa Setefano, 23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga.

Ireland Starting XV:

Ellena Perry, 2. Neve Jones, 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Ruth Campbell, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Grace Moore, 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Brittany Hogan, 9. Aoibheann Reilly, 10. Dannah O’Brien, 11. Amee Leigh Costigan, 12. Eve Higgins, 13. Aoife Dalton, 14. Béibhinn Parsons, 15. Stacey Flood.

Ireland Replacements:
16. Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald, 17. Niamh O’Dowd, 18. Sadhbh McGrath, 19. Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20. Claire Boles, 21. Emily Lane, 22. Nancy McGillivray, 23. Anna McGann.

FRANCE vs SOUTH AFRICA - Pool D

16:45 KO - Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

France co-head coach Gaëlle Mignot has made six personnel changes and two positional switches to her starting XV for the Pool D clash with South Africa in Northampton. Yllana Brosseau comes in at loosehead, while Manae Feleu and Madoussou Fall Raclot form a new second row pairing. In the back row, Axelle Berthoumieu starts at flanker with Charlotte Escudero moving to number eight. In the backline, captain Marine Ménager shifts across to the left wing as Joanna Grisez comes in on the right.

South Africa, meanwhile, are captained for the first time by record-capped prop Babalwa Latsha. Head coach Swys de Bruin has handed a debut to Mary Zulu at fly-half, while Anathi Qolo also starts in the second row. Luchell Hanekom, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nomsa Mokwai and Faith Tshauke are among those in line for tournament debuts from the bench. Tayla Kinsey, the most capped Springbok scrum-half, could appear in her third Rugby World Cup.

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. Marine Ménager, 12. Gaby Vernier, 13. Nassira Konde, 14. Joanna Grisez, 15. Emilie Boulard.

France Replacements:
16. Elisa Riffonneau, 17. Annaelle Deshaye, 18. Assia Khalfaoui, 19. Hina Ikahehegi, 20. Taina Maka, 21. Seraphine Okemba, 22. Alexandra Chambon, 23. Morgane Bourgeois.

South Africa Starting XV:

Yonela Ngxingolo, 2. Micke Gunter, 3. Babalwa Latsha (c), 4. Vainah Ubisi, 5. Anathi Qolo, 6. Lerato Makua, 7. Catha Jacobs, 8. Aseza Hele, 9. Nadine Roos, 10. Mary Zulu, 11. Maceala Samboya, 12. Chumisa Qawe, 13. Eloise Webb, 14. Jacomina Cilliers, 15. Byrhandré Dolf.

South Africa Replacements:
16. Luchell Hanekom, 17. Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18. Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19. Nomsa Mokwai, 20. Ntsako Faith Tshauke, 21. Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22. Tayla Kinsey, 23. Aphiwe Ngwevu.