Stars, games, English on mission, blue for a feat … The 10th edition of the competition, which begins this Friday, promises to be thrilling.
A very pop opening ceremony
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The organizers of the 10e edition of the Rugby Women’s World Cup announce “Exceptional experienceThis Friday evening for the opening show at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, which will open the competition before the meeting between the English and the Americans. In a closed counters (more than 40,000 spectators), the show will be interpreted by the British pop superstar, Anne-Marie, which has several billion listenings on Spotify.
Stars and personalities
Honor in the host country, England, which has several big names in this game in its ranks. Like the pillar Maud Muironly 24 years old but already inflexible in the balance of power, or the rear Ellie Kildunneelected best player in the world in 2024. The spearhead of the Red Roses attack (41 trials in 53 selections). The New Zealand Fens are not to be outdone with the big name of world women’s rugby, Portia Woodman Wickliff. At 34, the wing, the best test marker for the last two editions, came out of her international retirement for a final recital. She already has two World Cups (2017 and 2021) and two Olympic gold medals at 7 (2020 and 2024) in her XXL track record. Another eagerly awaited New Zealand, the young third-line (21) Jorja Millerwho too, golden gold at the Paris Olympic Game a year ago. But the star of women’s rugby, with more than 8 million subscribers on her social networks, is undoubtedly the American Ilona Maher . The 29 -year -old center had already punctured the screen at the Stade de France during the Olympic tournament at 7 a year ago. For the first time, she participated in a World Cup in XV. She was entitled to the coverage of the famous number of sports swimsuits illustrated last year and assumed her femininity and her size (1.77 m; 90 kg): “I am strong and powerful, but I can also be graceful».
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Blue have talent
Undoubtedly, the mistress to play in the XV of France is the half of melee Pauline Bourdon-Sansus. Suspended by the FFR for having criticized the refereeing in the final of the French championship, the player at the 66 selections – the most capée of the selected 32 – will however miss the opening match of the Bleues, this Saturday evening, against Italy. Also to follow on the tricolor side, the patron of the pack, Giant Feleuwith an exemplary course (from Wallis-et-Futuna, the second-line studied in New Zealand before following medical studies in parallel with its sports career), the center Naval who, at 29, will definitively hang up the crampons after this competition, or Manon Bigot. Revealed late, the Talonneuse, who is a firefighter in the civilian, is not afraid to highlight the values that drive her, patriotism and honor the blue-white-red flag in mind.
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Will the invincibility of the English fall?
It has been more than 1000 days since the Red Roses have not lost a meeting. Unfortunately for them, this defeat intervened in the final of the 2022 World Cup, beaten by nothing (3-31) in New Zealand by the Black Ferns. This is to say the flame that inhabits Captain Zoe Aldcroft and her teammates. Because, if we widen the focal length a little more, this final is the only defeat conceded by the English in their last 58 games! Invincible … They should meet, in the semi-finals, the Route du XV de France. Who has not beat England since 2018 (16 losses in a row, the last, in early August (6-40), in the preparation match). A feat if not nothing for the Blue who have reached eight times (in 9 editions) the last square without ever getting to the final. Feat required.
An open and spectacular game
Of course, the fight remains the basis of this game. But, then, the girls do not hesitate to send games, to launch large reminders far, to bring the ball to life. The French and, above all, the New Zealanders have made offensive game their trademark. The beautiful actions will not fail to feed the highlights of this female world cup which already promises to be the most watched in history.
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Key Data & Comparisons: Rugby Women’s World Cup
To further illuminate the exciting prospects of the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, let’s delve into key data points and comparisons, offering a fresh perspective on the competition’s dynamic.
| Feature | Analysis | Insight |
| ——————– | —————————————————————————————————- | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| england’s Dominance | Unbeaten streak stretching over 1000 days, only loss since 2022 World Cup final. | The “Red Roses” are the clear favorites, but their vulnerability was exposed in the last World cup final. Can they maintain their momentum? |
| France’s Challenge | 16 consecutive losses against England since 2018. | France’s historical struggles against England pose a meaningful hurdle. Will the “Bleues” be able to break this streak and reach the final? |
| Portia Woodman’s Return | Best test try-scorer in the last two World Cups, returning from retirement. | Her presence adds experience and an offensive weapon to an already formidable New Zealand team, adding
