Vote: Are England 'hands-down favourite' for Women's Rugby World Cup glory? What is Red Roses' route to the final at a sold-out Twickenham?

What lies in store for England as they begin their Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign? An expectant legion of fans is set to greet their first outing in Sunderland on Friday, as The Red Roses take on the USA. Appearing in the opposition ranks will be superstar Ilona Maher. Vote below on England's chances, and assess an expert prediction on their possible route to the final.

England 'hands-down favourite' for Women's Rugby World Cup - but 'nothing guaranteed'

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Women's Rugby World Cup is here! This year delivers yet another showpiece sporting event with England hoping to emulate the Lionesses and triumph at a major tournament.

The Red Roses are many people's favourites, having not lost since the last World Cup final, but will need to break the hex that New Zealand have had over them in the past two editions, with The Black Ferns winning both the 2017 and 2021 finals.

With the 2025 final to be held at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, Twickenham - what would constitute a record for a one-off women's rugby match - the stakes are sky-high for John Mitchell's hosts.

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Ahead of England kicking off their campaign against Ilona Maher's USA on Friday, TNT Sports are in optimistic spirits and imagining that The Red Roses will reach their seventh World Cup final in a row.

But how will they get there? That's the task we set Claire Thomas, who put down her microphone to take on this most devilish of tasks.

Admitting to "grappling" with her decisions, Thomas began: "England will go through the pool unbeaten and with a trio of bonus-point wins, and then this is when I land myself in trouble...

"My gut says Scotland beat Wales (but that's probably the toughest match to call of the entire pool stage).

"So the Roses beat Scotland in the quarter-finals before they face either France or Ireland in the semi-finals.

"Hmm. France could make me look incredibly foolish here, but Ireland might well win that, so then it's England v Ireland in the semis.

"England face... argh! Canada in the final."

We didn't go so far as to ask Thomas for a prediction for that possible final, but you can have your say below on whether you think England can go all the way.

England 'hands-down favourite'

One ex-Red Rose who is talking up the chances of her nation is Danielle Waterman.

Waterman scored England's opening try in the 2014 World Cup final as they ran out victors over Canada in Paris.

Speaking on the eve of the event, Waterman said: "The Red Roses are hands-down favourite for this Rugby World Cup.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell

Image credit: Getty Images

"They haven't lost since the last World Cup final and they are in mega shape. The girls are looking phenomenally fit.

"The skill level they have, the depth, the power, the strength is just next level. The only challenge is that doesn't guarantee you anything in a World Cup."

Teams named for England v USA showdown

Ahead of Friday's opener, Mitchell has named his England 23 to take on the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

And it's an unchanged starting XV from their final warm-up game against France, with Zoe Aldcroft leading the side from No. 7, and Emily Scarratt - primed to appear in her fifth World Cup - on the bench.

"We have been building nicely into the tournament and now we’re excited to get our campaign underway," Mitchell said.

"Sunderland have been a great host city thus far and we know it’ll be a record crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match, which shows the appetite for rugby in this region and for the competition ahead.

"We want to embrace the occasion whilst understanding we have to remain where our feet are and earn the right to progress through the pool stage."

Meanwhile, the USA side named to face the Red Roses is headlined by Ilona Maher.

The 29-year-old, a social media sensation who played in the PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) last season, starts at outside centre.

USA Women's Eagles head coach Sione Fukofuka said: "Our focus for the first match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is very much on ourselves and executing our game plan to put pressure on England.

"We know they have big external expectations on them as world No. 1 and will have the pressure of being the host nation, so we are quietly going about our work, building confidence and looking forward to performing in front of family, friends and fans on the World Cup stage."

Watch and stream Premiership Women’s Rugby live and on-demand on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports is also the home of the Gallagher PREM and the Autumn Nations Series

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