Round 2 of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup delivered a feast of record-breaking performances, as England stamped their authority on Pool A with a staggering 92-3 demolition of Samoa. The Red Roses smashed past previous World Cup records for their all-time biggest win at the tournament, to assert themselves as favourites ahead of Saturday’s decisive clash with Australia.

[ad_connatix]

Speaking of the Wallaroos, the USA and Australia played out a heart-stopping 31-all draw in York, with Pool A blown wide-open ahead of the final weekend. Meanwhile, Scotland celebrated a historic quarter-final berth, South Africa reached the knockout stages for the first time, and France continued their relentless march through Pool D.

FULL RESULTS: WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025 – ROUND 2 (POOL STAGES)

CANADA 42 – 0 WALES / SCOTLAND 29 – 15 FIJI / ENGLAND 92 – 3 SAMOA

USA 31 – 31 AUSTRALIA IRELAND 43 – 27 SPAIN / NEW ZEALAND 62 – 19 JAPAN

ITALY 24 – 29 SOUTH AFRICA / FRANCE 84 – 5 BRAZIL

Canada 42 – 0 Wales

Salford Community Stadium, Manchester

Canada’s relentless start to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup continued with a clinical 42–0 dismantling of Wales in Manchester. Wales began with promise, but once the second-ranked side in the world found their rhythm, the game tilted decisively. McKinley Hunt set the tone for Canada with a power-driven score on 15 minutes, silencing any Welsh momentum.

Alysha Corrigan, Hunt again, and Asia Hogan-Rochester added to the frenzy as Canada raced to a 31–0 lead before half-time. Despite Gabrielle Senft’s disallowed try and a yellow card for Georgia Evans, Canada’s fluency never wavered. Taylor Perry’s first-half try and Brittany Kassil’s maul finish punctuated a commanding second-half display. Even a yellow card for prop Olivia DeMerchant failed to disrupt the Canadian machine, with the forwards soaking up pressure and the backs executing with elegance.

This was a masterclass in dominance, balance, and ruthlessness. Call it a warning shot to the rest of the front-runners for the World Cup trophy, that Canada are ready to challenge for the crown. It’s been a long time waiting for the Maple Leaves to call themselves World Champions, which could very well happen for the first time ever come the end of September.

CANADA: 42
TRIES: 5 (McKinley Hunt 2, Alysha Corrigan, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Taylor Perry, Brittany Kassil)
CONVERSIONS: 6 (Sophie de Goede)
PENALTIES: 0

WALES: 0
TRIES: 0
CONVERSIONS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

Scotland 29 – 15 Fiji

Salford Community Stadium, Manchester

Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup quarter-finals was confirmed with a thrilling 29–15 victory over spirited Fiji in Salford. Francesca McGhie continued her tournament-flying form, and opening the scoring inside two minutes, before later adding a second to underline her deadly finishing instincts.

Rhona Lloyd’s brace and a stunning solo try from Emma Orr carved out a decisive advantage, but Fiji’s resolute counter-attack kept the contest alive. Loraini Senivutu and Manuqualo Komaitai crossed for Fijiana, even whilst Vika Matarugu’s yellow card threw a spanner into the works for the Pacific Islanders. Bitila Tawake’s yellow (later upgraded to a red), Fiji’s tenacity tested Scotland’s defensive steel.

Scotland’s response was clinical; forwards laid the platform, backs capitalized on space, and McGhie’s try-saving cover tackle showcased defensive brilliance in the closing moments of the match. The win, the first Scottish quarter-final appearance since 2002, is a testament to the emergence of a new generation ready to make their mark on the global stage.

SCOTLAND: 29
TRIES: 5 (Francesca McGhie 2, Rhona Lloyd 2, Emma Orr)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Nelson)
PENALTIES: 0

FIJI: 15
TRIES: 3 (Loraini Senivutu, Manuqalo Komaitai, Karalaini Naisewa)
CONVERSIONS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

England 92 – 3 Samoa

Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

England produced an awe-inspiring 92–3 demolition of Samoa to seal Pool A supremacy and qualify for the knock-out stages. From the opening whistle, the Red Roses blended brute force with electric flair, running in 14 tries in a display of sheer dominance to set a new England points record for a Women’s Rugby World Cup match. Meg Jones sliced through Samoa’s defence twice in the first 15 minutes, while Jess Breach celebrated her 50th England try with a trademark burst out wide.

The forwards imposed their will, with Sarah Bern, Lark Atkin-Davies, and Kelsey Clifford powering over, while scrum-half Lucy Packer and Helena Rowland showcased opportunism and speed. Samoa’s brief respite came via Harmony Vatau’s penalty, but England quickly reasserted control, with Mackenzie Carson, Marlie Packer, and Breach completing a hat-trick, and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald rounding off the scoring.

It was a masterclass in ruthless execution and depth, leaving no doubt about England’s credentials as tournament favourites.

ENGLAND: 92
TRIES: 14 (Meg Jones 2, Jess Breach 3, Sarah Bern, Maddie Feaunati, Lark Atkin-Davies, Lucy Packer, Kelsey Clifford, Mackenzie Carson, Helena Rowland, Marlie Packer, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald)
CONVERSIONS: 11 (Helena Rowland)
PENALTIES: 0

SAMOA: 3
TRIES: 0
CONVERSIONS: 0
PENALTIES: 1 (Harmony Vatau)

USA 31 – 31 Australia

York Community Stadium, York

Pool A served up a heart-stopping thriller as USA and Australia battled to a 31-all draw in York. The Wallaroos dominated early, with Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse crossing for two tries each by half-time. Freda Tafuna spearheaded a second-half resurgence for the Eagles, her hat-trick keeping the USA in contention.

Erica Jarrell-Searcy’s late score briefly put the Americans ahead, only for prop Eva Karpani to level the game. Samantha Wood’s missed conversion in the dying minutes denied either side a winner, leaving both nations on 31 points and keeping quarter-final hopes alive.

USA: 31
TRIES: 5 (Freda Tafuna 3, Cheta Sagapolu, Erica Jarrell-Searcy)
CONVERSIONS: 4 (McKenzie Hawkins)
PENALTIES: 0

AUSTRALIA: 31
TRIES: 3 (Desiree Miller 2, Caitlyn Halse 2, Eva Karpani)
CONVERSIONS: 3 (Samantha Wood)
PENALTIES: 0

Ireland 43 – 27 Spain

Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Returning to the World Cup after eight years, Ireland flexed their offensive might with a 43–27 victory over Spain in Northampton. Dannah O’Brien opened the scoring, followed by Amee-Leigh Costigan, while Eve Higgins and Anna McGann added late first-half brilliance to take a 28–14 lead into the break.

Spain hit back with a flurry of tries from Claudia Perez Perez and Marieta Roman Mallen, keeping the contest competitive. Grace Moore’s twin scores and McGann’s second in the second half extended Ireland’s lead, while Lourdes Alameda and Cristina Blanco Herrera offered late consolation.

IRELAND: 43
TRIES: 7 (Dannah O’Brien, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann 2, Grace Moore 2)
CONVERSIONS: 4 (Dannah O’Brien 3, Enya Breen)
PENALTIES: 0

SPAIN: 27
TRIES: 5 (Claudia Perez Perez, Marieta Roman Mallen, Claudia Pena Hidalgo, Lourdes Alameda, Cristina Blanco Herrera)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Amalia Argudo)
PENALTIES: 0

New Zealand 62 – 19 Japan

Sandy Park, Exeter

New Zealand stormed past Japan 62–19 to book their quarter-final spot, with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe cementing her status as the Black Ferns’ top try scorer ever. Japan started brightly through Sakurako Hatada, but Woodman-Wickliffe’s early strike and Jorja Miller’s incisive runs quickly swung momentum.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s hat-trick and supporting scores from Vahaakolo, Tukuafu, Pouri-Lane, Holmes, and Miller showcased New Zealand’s lethal depth. Japan fought valiantly, with Moe Tsukui scoring and a penalty try awarded after a red card for Laura Bayfield, but the gap proved insurmountable. A second-half onslaught extended the margin, leaving Japan eliminated but proud of their spirited display.

NEW ZEALAND: 62
TRIES: 10 (Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jorja Miller 2, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Braxton Sorensen-McGee 3, Kennedy Tukuafu, Risi Pouri-Lane, Renee Holmes)
CONVERSIONS: 6 (Braxton Sorensen-McGee 4, Renee Holmes 2)
PENALTIES: 0

JAPAN: 19
TRIES: 3 (Sakurako Hatada, Moe Tsukui, Penalty try)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Ayasa Otsuka)
PENALTIES: 0

Italy 24 – 29 South Africa

York Community Stadium, York

South Africa made history with a 29–24 win over Italy to reach their first-ever Women’s World Cup quarter-final. Aseza Hele’s early strike was followed by Nadine Roos, with Italy responding through Minuzzi and Vecchini. Francesca Sgorbini’s try briefly levelled the score after half-time, but South Africa’s composure and forward power delivered Sizophila Solontsi and Sinazo Mcatshulwa tries that sealed the win.

The Springboks’ triumph is a milestone for women’s rugby in South Africa, to reach the knock-out stages for the first time in their history. Italy pushed hard, with Sara Seye crossing late, but green and gold history was made in York as South Africa advanced the final eight.

ITALY: 24
TRIES: 4 (Minuzzi, Vecchini, Sgorbini, Seye)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Sillari, Rigoni)
PENALTIES: 0

SOUTH AFRICA: 29
TRIES: 5 (Aseza Hele, Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinazo Mcatshulwa)
CONVERSIONS: 2 (Dolf)
PENALTIES: 0

France 84 – 5 Brazil

Sandy Park, Exeter

France steamrolled Brazil 84–5 in a one-sided Pool D clash at Sandy Park. Les Bleues crossed 14 times, including nine in the first half, with Emilie Boulard, Marie Morland, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, and Kelly Arbey among the scorers. Lina Queyroi, Seraphine Okemba, and Marine Menager ensured the onslaught continued after the interval.

Brazil provided a shining moment when Bianca Silva executed a stunning solo try, the first ever for her nation in a Women’s Rugby World Cup. Despite the scoreline, Brazil’s courage and skill illuminated their growing rugby culture, offering hope and inspiration for future tournaments. France, meanwhile, showcased their ruthless depth, precise execution, and unrelenting tempo, sending a clear warning to all tournament rivals.

FRANCE: 84
TRIES: 14 (Emilie Boulard 2, Marie Morland, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, Kelly Arbey 2, Annaelle Deshaye, Marine Menager 2, Lina Queyroi, Seraphine Okemba 2, Nassira Konde, Lina Tuy)
CONVERSIONS: 7 (Lina Queyroi)
PENALTIES: 0

BRAZIL: 5
TRIES: 1 (Bianca Silva)
CONVERSIONS: 0
PENALTIES: 0

Women’s Rugby World Cup: Round 2 – England break tournament record as USA and Australia draw an all-time classic