The stage is set for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, and the draw has thrown up some intriguing matchups as the tournament gears up for a thrilling spectacle in England.

The Red Roses, runaway leaders at the top of the world rankings and on a 20-match winning streak, are clear favourites to go one better than they did in New Zealand in 2022.

England's path to a possible home Rugby World Cup triumph has been mapped out with the hosts placed in a pool alongside Australia, USA, and Samoa for next summer's tournament.

If the top-seeded team wins each pool, England could only meet world number twos Canada or defending champions New Zealand in the final.

Pool A: England's Path to Glory

England's Pool A encounter with Australia is a significant test. The Wallaroos will be looking to make a statement, but England's recent dominance suggests they will likely top their pool.

Samoa's presence in Pool A adds another layer of competition.

Pool C: Ireland's Chance to Shine

Pool C presents a formidable challenge for defending champions New Zealand. Ireland, who claimed a famous upset win over New Zealand in WXV earlier this month, are grouped with the Black Ferns, Japan and Spain. This sets the stage for a potential rematch of their memorable clash in the 2014 World Cup pool stage.

England's Potential Quarter-Final Foe

England face a potential quarter-final against the runners-up from the pool containing Scotland and Wales - drawn together for the second straight tournament - Canada and Fiji.

France's Last-Four Hope

France are England’s likeliest last-four opponents. They, who along with the Red Roses, Canada and New Zealand were top seeds, are in a group with Italy, South Africa and Brazil.

A Tournament of Growth and Expansion

The tournament has been expanded from the 12 teams that took part in 2022, with 16 sides participating including debutants Brazil.

The 2025 tournament, which has been expanded from 12 to 16 teams, will use multiple different stadiums across the country with it culminating in the final at Twickenham. The pre-sale for the first game, third-place playoff and the final saw more than 60,000 tickets sold across the games.

England's Dominance: Can Anyone Stop Them?

England's hopes were dashed in front of a raucous home crowd at Eden Park in 2022, in a tournament that was delayed a year by Covid.

The Red Roses, who are currently unbeaten in 20 consecutive games, reached the final in 2017 and 2022 but were beaten both times by New Zealand.

The Rugby Football Union has set itself the target of filling Twickenham for the final, a feat that would shatter the current record attendance of a women's rugby union match – the 58,498 who attended the Red Roses' Six Nations-sealing victory over France in April 2023.

A World Cup for Everyone

The tournament claims to be the most-accessible women's Rugby World Cup ever, with matches staged at eight venues across England.

The Amex Stadium, home of Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, Exeter Chiefs' Sandy Park, Sale Sharks' Salford Community Stadium, Franklin's Gardens in Northampton and the LNER Community Stadium in York will host pool matches. The quarter-final action will be staged at Sandy Park and Bristol's Ashton Gate, with the semi-finals at the latter and the final at Twickenham.

The tournament begins on Friday 22 August with England in action at Sunderland's Stadium of Light and culminates in the final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 27 September.

A New Era for Women's Rugby

After an initial presale in September, tickets to all matches go on sale on 5 November.

Select matches for next year's tournament will be shown on the BBC's linear channels, while every game will be available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra will also broadcast commentary on the tournament, which begins on 22 August.

New Zealand Faces a Tough Test

The draw for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has been conducted, and the defending champions New Zealand will face a tough test against Ireland in Pool C.

New Zealand have won the last two finals against England, who have been runners-up six times but beat New Zealand twice recently.

The tournament will be held across eight venues from Aug. 22-Sept. 27.

The Home of Women's Rugby

The opening game will be at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Six locations will hold pool matches, including Brighton and Hove, Exeter, Salford, Northampton and York. Exeter and Bristol will stage the quarterfinals with the latter also hosting both semis. The final at Twickenham, London on Sept. 27 is expected to be an 82,000 sellout, which would be the biggest crowd ever to watch a women's international.

The Next Chapter

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is set to be an exciting tournament, with England looking to finally lift the trophy at home.

With the tournament being expanded to include 16 teams, it is clear that the women's game is growing at a rapid pace.

As the tournament draws nearer, the anticipation and excitement will continue to grow.

Get ready for a spectacle of skill, passion, and determination as the world's best women's rugby players take to the field in England.