GLORY AWAITS!

The biggest World Cup in women's rugby history is upon us.

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Here are the teams chasing immortality

Kiwi ecstasy NZ celebrate victory three years ago

THE LAST Women's Rugby World Cup should have been won by England. Three years ago in New Zealand, the Red Roses were clear favourites yet faltered at the last after an early red card in the final. New Zealand took advantage to win a sixth title.

It's now 2025 and England are hot favourites again, this time on home soil. However, it's never as easy as just turning up. There will be 15 other teams in this record-breaking World Cup hoping to be the ultimate gatecrashers to the party.

So over the next 20-odd pages, get to know a bit more about each nation and what they will bring to the 2025 Women's World Cup...

ENGLAND

After so many agonising near misses, the Red Roses are determined to bring home the bacon on their own turf

FORM GUIDE Pressure? Some would say that's just for tyres. But it's legitimate to ask whether any team in any sport at any time has gone into a tournament with such high expectations.

With their locked-in No 1 world ranking, a conveyor belt of Grand Slams and home advantage for the first time since 2010, anything less than winning the World Cup will be a disaster for England.

Their squad is packed with experience, more than 1,400 caps' worth, yet has the energy of youth.

There's depth in every position and the ability to play in any style or conditions. Take fly-half, where you have the classic passing game of Holly Aitchison or the mighty boot of Zoe Harrison. Helena Rowland, the perceived third choice, would walk into almost any other side.