Hats, high fives and mauls: Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 – a picture essay

The England and USA players take to the pitch at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland for the inaugural match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The American superstar Ilona Maher tries to whip up the crowd as she heads back to the changing room after warming up. Her teammate, the scrum-half Olivia Ortiz, makes a pass.

Ellie Kildunne scores a try during England’s victory, which the Red Roses fans celebrate.

A young mascot looks up anxiously at the Samoa captain, Sui Pauaraisa.

The Australia wing Maya Stewart is tackled by the Samoa full-back Karla Wright-Akeli (left) and wing Drenna Falaniko (top), the Samoa captain, Sui Pauaraisa, wins a lineout.

The Australia prop Brianna Hoy is held up over the try-line by Samoan tackles.

Australia’s Cecilia Smith celebrates after scoring her side’s eighth try, the Samoa centre Keilamarita Pouri-Lane writes a message in a book for a disabled supporter after the match, the Samoa flanker Sinead Ryder signs a ball for a fan.

A young Scotland fan, with hat and sunglasses, waits for the teams to come out, a young Welsh fan is introduced to a Scottish bagpiper.

The Scotland and Wales teams line up in the temporary tunnel (created because the double-header of games meant the teams in the second match had to change in temporary facilities outside the ground).

Francesca McGhie evades the flying tackle from Jasmine Joyce-Butchers of Wales before going on to score Scotland’s first try (above), Georgia Evans of Wales, wearing a pink ribbon in her hair, takes the ball into a multiple tackle after coming on as a substitute.

The Scotland captain, Rachel Malcolm, seems in pain as she shows off one of the innovative new mouthguards that can measure and signal a potential concussion.

Leia Brebner-Holden of Scotland celebrates after she scores a try (above), the dejected replacement Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu is consoled by teammate Abbie Fleming after the final whistle meant a heavy Welsh defeat.

The Samoa players walk off the pitch singing and holding on to colleagues after the warm-up session.

An England fan with a message for star player Ellie Kildunne (above), Samoan and England fans cheer their teams.

Meg Jones of England celebrates after scoring a try against Samoa (above), Maddie Feaunati, whose father played for Samoa, goes over for another England try.

Samoa players wave to the crowd on a lap of honour after the defeat to England.

A New Zealand lineout is caught.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe runs clear and scores the try that meant she became New Zealand’s all-time record try‑scorer.

The Japanese pack goes down for a scrum (above), Stacey Waaka of New Zealand (centre) tries to grab a loose ball after making a tackle.

The Japan players bow to the applauding crowd after their 62-19 defeat to New Zealand.

A rainbow forms over Sandy Park (above), the Brazil players pose together with their national flag after their 84-5 defeat.

South Africa players sing their national anthem.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u of New Zealand drops the ball while attempting to score a try (above).

The South Africa 40-year-old captain, Nolusindiso Booi, is carried off the field by her team after the final whistle of their quarter-final defeat to New Zealand.

England fans at Ashton Gate watch a TV screen showing the climax of the France v Ireland quarter-final in Exeter before England’s quarter-final.

The crowd cheer as the big screen shows Ilona Maher of the USA drinking from two cups at the same time.

An almost full stadium watch the first half action (above), wet spectators watch a lineout in the rain.

An England scrum pushes it’s way towards the Scottish tryline (above), both squads form circles on the pitch after the final whistle.

The New Zealand Black Ferns perform the haka before kick-off.

Flames light up the crowd as the teams come out (above), Sophie de Goede wins lineout ball for Canada.

Alex Tessier celebrates scoring Canada’s fifth try during their semi-final victory over New Zealand.

France fans pay homage to their back row forward Charlotte Escudero as they wait to greet the team bus outside the stadium.

There were red roses aplenty at Ashton Gate, including in headwear, tattoo and crochet forms.

Red Roses fans welcome the England team as they walk from the team bus into the stadium (above), young England fans draped in St George’s flags take their seats, a message on a banner made by an England fan sits on the floor in the stands.

A determined looking England captain, Zoe Aldcroft, gathers her team together in a huddle straight after the national anthems (above), Abbie Ward of England catches at an attacking lineout near the French tryline.

The touch judge tries to intervene in an argument as Ellie Kildunne of England puts her finger to her lips to quieten down France’s Marine Ménager as tempers flare (above), the England No 8 Alex Matthews grabs hold of the shorts of teammate Maud Muir as they push forward on an attacking rolling maul while France’s Teani Feleu pushes the other way.

The England centre Meg Jones chases a loose ball, the uncoordinated fans in the stands attempt a Mexican wave.

Ellie Kildunne celebrates by playing the drums after England’s victory, then hugging her mother, Alison, the England lock Abbie Ward celebrates victory with her two-year-old daughter Hallie.