Red Roses & the Women’s RWC 2025

[BlackTails]

Don’t think there is a thread on this. Anyone else looking forward to it?

England going as clear favourites. The other three of top four sides are France, Canada and NZ, all of who. England have beaten recently and convincingly.

Three years saw England score one of the best tries in the semi against Canada I have ever seen in the men’s or women’s game. Then lose in the final minute of a nail biting final. So time to settle some scores.

Let’s try not to descend into “they’d lose to a school boy U14 side” type thread. I’d not fancy tackling Sarah Bern or Alex Matthews in full flight, and I very much doubt I could ever have skinned Abby Dow or Ellie Kildunne on the outside…

Hoping for a great showcase of the women’s game and another uptick in its popularity. And I have tickets for the final, which is nice (for me).

[ClaphamGT3]

Likewise - we were at the warm up match against France a couple of weeks back and we’ve tempted fate and bought tickets for the final; really looking forward to the next month!

[BlackTails]

I saw the Black Ferns beat USA 79-14 at the weekend. A good benchmark for England in their opener against the US.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has annoyingly come out of retirement for this WC. Scored seven tries against the US. Quite hard to put on the floor.

[ClaphamGT3]

Telling that nobody's posting on this thread.

When we went to the France game the gate was 8000. If there were 100 England supporters there, I'd be surprised.

Such a shame as it was a cracking good game of international rugby by any measure.

[Mr Magooagain]

Looking forward to the opening game tomorrow night.
The final has been sold out from what I’ve seen on social media.

C’mon Ireland!

[ukbabz]

The last RWC was epic, and the time difference really didn't help. Hopefully this time around we can get some more eyeballs on the games. Looking forward to it - even if it did sneak up on me a bit!

[Alickadoo]

It's a one way street Eng v USA.

Maggie Alphonsi on Desert Island Discs this a.m. She and her wife have two children, another one on the way, it seems.

[BlackTails]

England dominating the first half, and the USA tend to fade in the second half anyway. There are though a few area where England could sharpen up a bit; I reckon they could have put at least another try on the board in that half.

[MC Bodge]

Alickadoo said:

Maggie Alphonsi on Desert Island Discs this a.m

I heard it. She came across really well.

[MC Bodge]

BlackTails said:

England dominating the first half, and the USA tend to fade in the second half anyway. There are though a few area where England could sharpen up a bit; I reckon they could have put at least another try on the board in that half.

My son and I have enjoyed watching it.

We see the Sale FC and Sharks women training. The standard of rugby is high nowadays.

[BlackTails]

Breach and Kildunne just conjured that try out of nothing!

[MC Bodge]

BlackTails said:

Breach and Kildunne just conjured that try out of nothing!

And again

[BlackTails]

Yep. US definitely tiring now. They couldn’t defend the breakdown in the phases leading to that try, and so the recycling speed was lightning fast.

[ukbabz]

Talk about clinical. England made fewer meters and scored 43 points more.

[BlackTails]

Devastating counterattack.

[MC Bodge]

What a try!

[MC Bodge]

BlackTails said:

Devastating counterattack.

Some great tackling in defence too

[ukbabz]

What a counter from Kildunne. That little chip was filth. Must be gutting for the USA

[MC Bodge]

England's scrummaging is fearsome.

[Mr Magooagain]

Great performances from all the players but the front 3 were fearsome!