The Women's Rugby World Cup begins in Sunderland on Friday when hosts England face the United States at the Stadium of Light.
The tournament concludes with the final at the Allianz Stadium on September 27.
Here are some of the key players to watch during this year’s competition.
Aoife Dalton
The Ireland international is only 22 but has 24 caps to her name and was named the players' player of the year last season after a strong Six Nations performance. The dynamic centre started all five games for Ireland in the spring and will be hoping to carry on that record in the World Cup where she is appearing for the first time. The Offaly native is a ball carrying powerhouse with 41 carries in the W6N as well as one try to her name.
Claudia Pena
The Spain international enjoyed a fantastic debut season in Premiership Women’s Rugby with Harlequins this season. The 20-year-old centre joined Quins from Barcelona at the start of the season and went on to score eight tries in 13 appearances. Pena will be looking to carry on from that stellar season with Spain, who are ranked 13th in the world and face a tricky group with clashes against New Zealand, Ireland and Japan.
Sisilia Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu has returned to the Wales team in time to compete in her second World Cup. The ball-carrying prop missed the Six Nations after undergoing hamstring surgery, but returned for Wales’ warm-up series against Australia, which they drew 1-1. World Cups are a family affair for Tuipulotu after her father Sione played at the men’s 1999 and 2007 editions.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Still only 18 years old, New Zealand’s Sorensen-McGee has quickly become a much talked about talent. The full-back stood out in her first season of Super Rugby Aupiki, where she scored four tries during the competition and helped the Blues win the final against Matatu. She then made her Black Ferns debut against Australia on 10 May and made an instant impression, scoring two tries and subsequently earned a maiden World Cup call-up.
Caitlyn Halse
Another young talent aiming to make her mark on the World Cup is 18-year-old Australia full-back Halse. The teenager made her Super Rugby Women’s debut aged 16 and in the process became the joint-youngest NSW Waratahs player to do so. Halse became the youngest debutant for either the men’s or women’s Australia teams in May 2024 when she played against the United States and has so far earned 11 caps for the Wallaroos.
Abby Dow
With 54 caps to her name, Dow will be aiming to continue her impressive year at her second World Cup. The England winger is a crucial part of a formidable back three, which includes Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach for Friday’s opener against the United States. Dow comes into the tournament on the back of a successful Six Nations campaign, where she finished top of the try-scorers list with six tries as England were crowned victors.
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Watch the Women's Rugby World Cup with RTÉ Sport featuring 26 matches across RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ One, including all of Ireland's group matches
Watch Ireland v Japan in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday from 11.30am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on 2fm.
