RIVALRIES RENEWED – Rugby World Cup Pool C
Pool C is perhaps the most curious at this World Cup. Will this be a group of chaos or will the status quo be restored? Our writer Tom Maher, is here to try and answer that question and get to the bottom of a pool stacked with rivals.
Reigning World Champions New Zealand lead the way, looking to win the competition for the third time in a row. And only one team in world rugby has beaten the Black Ferns more times than they have lost to them, and that team joins them in Pool C: Ireland.
It is over 10 years since Ireland reached the semi final of the World Cup (the first senior Irish team to do so). That tournament in 2014 was the last time that Ireland faced New Zealand in the pool stages. The Irish defeated the Black Ferns in one of the great Rugby World Cup upsets and the pair will face off again in September on the south coast.
Both are joined by Spain, who despite their lowly place in the World Rankings are, curiously, the only team in the pool Ireland have lost more times to than they have beaten. Spain were the architects of Ireland’s downfall in 2021, defeat to Las Leonas proved fatal to the Emerald Isle’s chances. And as if the peculiarity of this pool could go no further, Japan, the team who round out the group just beat Spain twice in a row in the lead up to the World Cup.
IRELAND
Ireland have not played a Rugby World Cup match since it was held on their own soil in 2017. Failure to qualify in 2021 was the unthinkable realised. In the aftermath of that disappointment, Irish players past and present sent a letter to the government stating they had “lost all trust and confidence in the IRFU.” It was a seismic moment and despite the IRFU’s initial rebuttal of the claims, the organisation apologised months later following the conclusion of an independent review into standards. The IRFU implemented all 30 recommendations and committed a further one million euro per annum to women’s rugby.
The Irish team is now professional with 37 players put on central contracts last year in the lead up to the World Cup. The side have access to Blanchardstown’s high performance training centre in Dublin. Small things like nutritionists, masseuses are now commonplace in camp now where previously they were considered a luxury not afforded to the team.
With those improvements, a promising new dawn has arrived for the Irish led by players like 2025 Player of the Six Nations Championship Aoife Wafer. Ireland have finished third in the Six Nations two years in a row, representing a substantial improvement after finishing rock bottom and losing five out of five matches in 2023. Scott Bemard’s charges have moved up to fifth in the world rankings and victory over New Zealand in October 2024 was a demonstration of their immense potential.
Any clouds gathering to stay their momentum are largely injury related, 2024 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, Erin King will miss the tournament due to a knee injury. Dorothy Wall, vital in Ireland’s line out routines is also missing as is Christy Haney both due to injury. Coming into the tournament Ireland have warmed up with victory over Scotland and defeat to Canada both played without their star player: Aoife Wafer.
The Harlequins number eight is returning from injury and may not be risked against Spain nor Japan. She had a stunning Six Nations and scored two tries in that victory over New Zealand in late 2024. Both scores were exceptional pieces of quick thinking to catch the World Champions cold. Look out for Wafer’s distinctive red scrum cap, a tribute to her late grandmother, who asked her to wear it so she could spot her on the pitch.
Another key figure is prop Linda Djougang, the most experienced player in the squad who is fast approaching her 50th cap. Djougang is a former theatre nurse turned rugby star, vital to Ireland’s recent turn around in fortunes. Look out for Djougang’s nails she had done pre-tournament, adorned with shamrocks, she told Ireland AM, a popular breakfast show in Ireland, “People are like oh you’re a prop you shouldn’t (paint your nails), but I’m like girl, I like to be feeling like a girl too! I like my nails done.”
Djougang is joined in the Irish pack by world class hooker Neve Jones, one of the toughest tacklers going. Jones herself credits young back Aoife Dalton as the ‘glue to our defence.’ High praise for Dalton, who has excelled since bursting onto the scene. Dalton was part of the 2025 Six Nations team of the Championships.
Back up hooker Beth Buttimer is the youngest in the player in the squad aged just 21 and yet to receive her first cap. Another newcomer is backrow forward Ivana Kiripati who also excelled in the youth pathways to make the squad. Born to Samoan parents in New Zealand, when her family moved to Ireland there was no women’s rugby team in Athlone for their daughter, so naturally, they set one up.
Another bright spark to watch is 21 year old fly half Dannah O’Brien of Old Belvedere RFC, she demonstrated her steely determination in her conversion with seconds to play against the Black Ferns which confirmed victory for Ireland last year. Keep an eye out for Amee Leigh Costigan too, the back who has excelled in the sevens format in particular is another incredible try scorer for Ireland.
Some controversy will follow Ireland to England after head coach Scott Bemand named two former England internationals in the Irish squad in Ellena Perry and Nancy McGillivray. Both made their debuts for Ireland this month. While McGillivray was yet to make an appearance for the Red Roses, Perry has 11 caps for England but due to the most recent of which being five years ago, she can now play for Ireland. McGillivray qualifies through her Irish father while Perry does so through an Irish grandparent. Some have raised concerns that this is an inditement of Ireland’s youth pathways, however it is more likely a stop gap while Ireland reap the benefits of recent investment.
“We have always believed that with the right structures, processes and support that Ireland could become a leading women’s rugby nation.”
The words of that famous letter from 2021 ring true today, and this tournament is their first real shot at becoming the nation they have always had the talent to be.
NEW ZEALAND
The World Champions sit uneasily on their perch. They have competition. At least one of New Zealand and England have made the final of the World Cup in every edition of the World Cup. The two sides have faced off against each other in five different finals. New Zealand won each of those finals but all have been tight games won by the odd score.
It is a rivalry rugby fans expect to be renewed again this summer with the chance of another World Cup final pitting these old foes against each other, a mouthwatering prospect. Most recently they faced each other in Canada where England ran out winners, Black Ferns will be out for revenge.
Before looking ahead too far, the Black Ferns – and their co-captains Kennedy Tukuafu and Ruahei Demant (above) – have their pool stage to contend with. Defeat to Ireland in 2014 cost New Zealand, who failed to qualify for the semi final and as a result secured their worst ever World Cup finish. Since that result New Zealand have not lost a single Rugby World Cup match, winning two tournaments straight. But defeat to Ireland in Canada at the end of last year has given the Black Ferns cause for caution against a resurgent Irish side.
New Zealand will know that they are clear favourites for the pool and will look to win the group handsomely. Victory on home soil four years ago was hard fought, a one point victory in the semi final and a three point margin in the final are testament to that. The gap is closing and recent defeats to the Red Roses have served to undermine their dominance. Undoubtedly the Black Ferns have the talent to win three in a row and their squad demonstrates that.
The big squad news is that iconic Black Ferns star Ruby Tui was not selected. That is, despite returning to the squad and scoring off the bench against Australia in their most recent test. It is a sign of the type of depth few can match. Kelly Brazier is heading to her fourth World Cup, a veteran of three, the fly half made her debut in 2009. She is a utility back in the squad, and astonishingly she featured for the Under 21s when she was just 14 years old.
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Jorja Miller will join the Black Ferns 15 aside team in England it much excitement from onlookers. As will, Ruahei Demant, a player for the big occasions. Demant won the Player of the Match in the 2022 final. She is one of the most intelligent rugby players out there, she will dictate and control matches to her tempo. Kaipo Olsen-Baker is the standout forward for New Zealand, she will play at her first World Cup this summer.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee is just 18 years old and the fullback only made her debut this year but two tries against Australia convinced the powers that be she should make the squad. Forward Georgia Ponsoby won try of the year for 2024 with an excellent team try against Australia, well worth a watch again. And Sylvia Brunt and Katelyn Vaha’akolo are vital backs for the side.
However, one name stands tall above all the rest. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. The top point scorer at the last World Cup she nabbed seven tries. She is back after retiring from international rugby when she added 2024 Paris Olympic Gold to her immense collection of silverware. The shot at a three-peat was too tempting for this serial winner. There is a good case to be made that she is the best player in the world, she is the all time leading try scorer for the Black Ferns. She is also the top World Cup try scorer in history, regardless of gender and is almost certain to add to that tally come late August.
Woodman-Wickliffe was top try scorer at the 2017 World Cup too- including a sensational four try performance in the semi final against USA. The winger, originally from Auckland was also Rugby World Sevens Player of the decade, the 2010s. If you fear her powers are fading, don’t, in a warm up for the World Cup she scored seven tries against USA.
JAPAN
Japan were on a five match winning streak before defeat in their final pre-tournament friendly to Italy. In June, the Cherry Blossoms, sometimes known as the Sakura Fifteen, were in a month-long training camp in the Japanese Alps of Nagano, the benefits have been plain to see.
A month later, Japan faced pool rivals Spain twice, beating the European side both times. They were tightly contested encounters, finishing 32-19 and 30-19 but in both matches Japan’s powerful forwards were the difference. In April Japan took their maiden victory against the USA. In 1994 Japan lost 121-0 to the USA at the World Cup, they have come a long way. That result feels like a marker of just how much Japan have improved even since going winless in the last World Cup. Japan were 21-7 down at half time but wingers Rinka Matsuda and Komachi Imakugi were electric in the comeback victory.
Scrum half Moe Tsukui is also an important player for Japan who keeps things ticking, while number eight Seina Saito recently became the first Japanese player ever to earn 50 caps. The only time Japan met the world champions before ended in a 95-12 friendly victory for the Black Ferns in 2022.
Japan have never made the quarter final of a World Cup but led by Iroha Nagata and head coach Lesley McKenzie (above) they are set on trying to change that in England. Failing that they will be aiming to win their first match at a World Cup since 2017 when they beat Hong Kong.
SPAIN
Like Ireland, Spain have also spent a tournament away from the World Cup, failing to qualify in 2021. But now with the World Cup back in this hemisphere, they return to the world stage, established as the best of the rest in Europe. Spain have won the European Championship every year since 2016, the tournament that features the four top ranked European sides outside the Six Nations.
It is hard to picture the perfect preparation to face the world champions on the opening day, but you’d imagine that the last editions runners up, the Red Roses, would be a good bet. That theory soon fell by the wayside after a 97-7 defeat to England proved to be Las Leonas biggest defeat ever.
Spain and their co-captains Laura Delgado and Alba Vinuesa (above) will know they stand little chance against the Black Ferns but it seems sensible to target victory against Japan. The Spanish have been able to hurt Ireland in the past but Ireland are stronger now, they will have to count on old wounds reappearing for their opposition. The Spanish have a number of talented players not least of which is Clàudia Peña, who is one familiar with playing her rugby in England. The Harlequins back is only 20 years old an is exciting prospect who got Spain’s solitary score against England.
Her Harlequins team mate Laura Delgado is the Spanish captain and is a legend of the Spanish game. Delgado announced that she will retire from international rugby after the World Cup, bringing an extra significance to the competition for her and her team mates. Spain are missing their first choice number eight, Carmen Castellucci, who suffered an ACL injury prior to the tournament.
Delgado is joined in the forward line by their 17 year old second row Victoria Rosell. Rosell is the youngest player selected for the tournament by any nation. Watch out for fly half Amalia Argundo who can unlock a defence with ease while Claudia Pérez is also an exciting full back worth keeping an eye on.
WHEN TO WATCH:
Ireland v Japan Sunday 24th August 2025, KO 12:00 BST, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton – BBC TWO, RTÉ 2
New Zealand v Spain Sunday 24th August, KO 17:30 BST, York Community Stadium – BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player
Ireland v Spain Sunday 31st August, KO 12:00 BST, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton – BBC TWO, RTÉ 2
New Zealand v Japan Sunday 31st August, KO 14:00 BST, Sandy Park, Exeter – BBC iPlayer, RTÉ player
Japan v Spain Sunday 7th September, KO 12:00 BST, York Community Stadium – BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player
New Zealand v Ireland Sunday 7th September, KO 14:45 BST, Falmer Stadium, Brighton – BBC TWO, RTÉ 2
