What To Know Before The Final Round of Pool Matches – Rugby World Cup 2025

There is just one round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 pool phase left this weekend, and already England, Canada, Scotland, South Africa, France, New Zealand, and Ireland have secured qualification for the quarter-finals. 

The quarterfinalists are also guaranteed a place at the Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia, so there is a double benefit for all of the teams that reach the first knockout stage.

This weekend, World Rugby said that four of the pool games were likely to be sell-outs. Last weekend was the final involvement of the venues in Salford and Sunderland, and there is one new venue being used this weekend in Brighton.

Image Credit – WRWC 2025

Pool A RWC 2025

The draw in York between Australia and the USA, which was one of the best matches of this Rugby World Cup 2025, means both teams are still able to reach the quarter-finals.

Australia play England in Brighton, while the USA plays Samoa in York. England is guaranteed a place in the top two, but the fixtures will determine who tops pool A and who joins England, with points difference potentially a decisive factor for the USA and Australia. Samoa is unable to advance.

• England has 10 points compared to Australia’s 8, and 3 for the USA.
• USA must beat Samoa with a bonus point to have a chance of a quarter-final
• Australia need a Bonus Point to qualify for the quarter-finals regardless of what the USA do
• If Australia lose and doesn’t get a Bonus Point, and USA win with a bonus point, they both finish on eight points – this means it will go to points difference first given draw (currently +135 in Australia’s favour, +73 to -62)

Pool B RWC 2025

Canada and Scotland have qualified for the quarter-finals, which means Wales and Fiji cannot progress at the tournament. The two QF-qualified teams will face each other in Exeter, with the winners topping the pool, while both Wales and Fiji will be looking to end their time in England with a win.

Canada (+100) currently has a better points difference than Scotland (+44), which means if the teams play out a draw, then Canada will remain in top spot.

• Canada and Scotland have qualified
• Fiji and Wales cannot reach the RWC 2025 QF

Pool C RWC 2025

Both Ireland and New Zealand have qualified for the quarterfinals and will face each other to determine who tops Pool C. Both Japan and Spain will face off in York, looking to end on a high.

• Both New Zealand and Ireland have qualified for the quarter-finals
• New Zealand (+89) has a better points difference than Ireland (+44), so they would probably top the pool in the event of a draw.
• Neither Japan Sakura Fifteen nor Spain can qualify.

Pool D RWC 2025

In Pool D, Italy take on Brazil and will be looking to finish with a win, and neither side can reach the knockout stages.  South Africa has reached their first Women’s RWC and will be facing France, with the winner topping the pool after the weekend.

Swys de Bruin’s side are currently top of Pool D on 10 points, with France one place behind them on nine points. In the event of a draw, the South Africans would top the pool unless the French get a try bonus point and South Africa do not. In that case, France would top the pool as they have the superior points difference.

• Both France and South Africa have qualified for the quarter-finals, and their clash will determine who tops the pool
• Neither Brazil nor Italy can progress at RWC 2025.

RWC 2025 Quarterfinal Permutations

The top sides from each pool play the teams that finished second. The likely outcomes for the Rugby World Cup 2025 quarterfinals are:

• Winner of Pool A (England or Australia) v Runner-up of Pool B (Canada or Scotland)
• Winner of Pool B (Canada or Scotland) v Runner-up Pool A (England, Australia or USA)
• Winner of Pool C (New Zealand or Ireland) v Runner-up of Pool D (South Africa or France)
• Winner of Pool D (South Africa or France) v Runner-up of Pool C (New Zealand or Ireland)

England Rugby World Cup 2025 News

• England Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 – What We Learned from Week 1.
• Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Title Sequences Commissioned by 16 Female Artists From Participating Nations.
• The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is Here and We Are All For It.
• Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 Sees an Increase in The Number of Female Coaches Involved.