{"id":519241,"date":"2025-10-22T09:09:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T09:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/519241\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T09:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T09:09:15","slug":"where-are-englands-world-cup-winners-playing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/519241\/","title":{"rendered":"Where are England’s World Cup winners playing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Premiership Women’s Rugby season kicks off on Friday following England’s World Cup triumph at Twickenham in September.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The World Cup final against Canada was played in front of 81,885 fans – a record for a women’s rugby match and the second-highest attendance for a men’s or women’s World Cup final.<\/p>\n

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It was also the most-watched women’s rugby match ever on UK television, with a record-breaking peak audience of 5.8 million viewers.<\/p>\n

This season’s Premiership campaign will look to build on the growth of women’s rugby as the stars of England’s all-conquering squad return to action.<\/p>\n

England full-back Ellie Kildunne will be in action for Harlequins on Friday evening against a Loughborough side featuring Sadia Kabeya, the player of the match in the World Cup final.<\/p>\n

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The BBC will show the match live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, and will feature a live game every week of the season<\/a> as part of a new coverage deal.<\/p>\n

Prop forward Hannah Botterman<\/a> and centre Meg Jones<\/a> are among the big names in action across Saturday’s two games.<\/p>\n

England captain Zoe Aldcroft will be looking to lead Gloucester-Hartpury to a fourth successive title<\/a> at Twickenham Stoop next June.<\/p>\n

The defending champions start their campaign on Sunday against a Saracens side containing Canada’s World Rugby women’s player of year Sophie de Goede.<\/p>\n

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Kildunne said<\/a> of the return to action: “It’s one of those ones that you’re kind of toying your mind around. You want time off, but I also miss it a lot.”<\/p>\n

There are 130 players from the World Cup in this season’s PWR, including Ireland back-row star Aoife Wafer, Scotland’s balletic wing Francesca McGhie, New Zealand prop Amy Rule and talented Spanish back Claudia Pena.<\/p>\n

“The PWR is the best women’s domestic league in the world, and we want to welcome all these new rugby fans with open arms,” PWR executive chair Genevieve Shore said.<\/p>\n

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Opening fixtures<\/p>\n

Friday, 24 October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning (19:30 BST)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 25 October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trailfinders Women v Exeter Chiefs (15:00 BST)<\/p>\n

Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers (19:00 BST)<\/p>\n

Sunday, 26 October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gloucester-Hartpury v Saracens (15:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Here is a guide to the nine teams and a look at who England’s World Cup winners play for.<\/p>\n

Harlequins<\/p>\n

Harlequins have two World Cup-winners in scrum-half Lucy Packer and full-back Ellie Kildunne.<\/p>\n

A crushing semi-final defeat by Saracens came as a disappointment last season after a strong start in coach Ross Chisholm’s first season, which included a 10-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

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Having retired from Scotland duty after defeat by England in the World Cup quarter-final, captain Jade Konkel will aim to drive the team forward from the back row alongside new signing Aoife Wafer.<\/p>\n

Ireland number eight Wafer won this year’s Women’s Six Nations player of the championship award and is one of the best forwards in the world.<\/p>\n

Spain back Claudia Pena, 20, is a lethal attacker and one to keep an eye on after signing a new contract in May.<\/p>\n

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Harlequins reached three finals in a row in the early years of the competition but have not played in the showpiece event since 2021.<\/p>\n

The ability of Kildunne, who was voted the best player in the world last year and scored a stunning try in the World Cup final, makes Harlequins a threat for any team.<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lucy Packer<\/p>\n

Ellie Kildunne<\/p>\n

\"Aoife<\/p>\n

Aoife Wafer returned from injury to feature in Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by France [Getty Images]<\/p>\n

Loughborough Lightning<\/p>\n

Loughborough Lightning finished sixth and outside the play-off spots last season.<\/p>\n

Utility back Helena Rowland impressed when called upon by England in the World Cup, scoring a team-record 27 points against Samoa.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Flanker Sadia Kabeya won the player of the match in the World Cup final and still has room for growth in her game at the age of 23.<\/p>\n

Lightning’s Lilli Ives Campion and Emily Scarratt did not feature for England in the knockout stages, and Scarratt announced her retirement from playing<\/a> this week but will stay on with Loughborough in a coaching capacity.<\/p>\n

Given the shortage of front-line internationals, securing a play-off spot for the first time since 2020\u201321 will be the goal.<\/p>\n

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England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lilli Ives Campion<\/p>\n

Sadia Kabeya<\/p>\n

Helena Rowland<\/p>\n

Trailfinders Women<\/p>\n

Trailfinders finished seventh last season and picked up five wins.<\/p>\n

Head coach Barney Maddison signed a long-term deal in March and despite losing England wing Abby Dow he will be excited to work with centre Megan Jones.<\/p>\n

Jones, who joins from Leicester Tigers, was a standout performer at the World Cup and started every game for England, earning a nomination for the World Rugby women’s player of the year award.<\/p>\n

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Abi Burton was unable to force her way in as an England regular at the World Cup but scored twice against Wales to cap a dream international debut in March.<\/p>\n

Having only joined the league in 2023\u201324, Trailfinders are building nicely as a club and were captained last season by United States skipper Kate Zackary.<\/p>\n

It may be a season too early for a play-off push, but the signing of Jones shows clear intent of a club on the rise.<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abi Burton<\/p>\n

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Megan Jones<\/p>\n

Exeter Chiefs<\/p>\n

Exeter Chiefs reached back-to-back finals in 2022 and 2023 and will have expectations of competing at the business end this season.<\/p>\n

England flanker Maddie Feaunati came off the bench in the World Cup final and is an explosive ball carrier.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old’s power will be needed more often after United States number eight Rachel Johnson called time on her Exeter career at the end of last season.<\/p>\n

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is the other England World Cup winner in the squad. After recovering from a second neck injury, she will be keen to make up for lost time.<\/p>\n

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The 29-year-old back will be out to prove a point after failing to play in the World Cup knockouts after starting the Six Nations decider in April.<\/p>\n

Foreign imports have been key to Exeter’s success, with Canada captain Alex Tessier – a standout performer at the World Cup – and United States prop Hope Rogers both central figures.<\/p>\n

England players<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maddie Feaunati<\/p>\n

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald<\/p>\n

Sale Sharks<\/p>\n

Sale Sharks finished bottom of the PWR last season and picked up only one win.<\/p>\n

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Another top performer at the World Cup, England lock Morwenna Talling, is joined this season by hooker Amy Cokayne – a try-scorer in the World Cup final, and fly-half Holly Aitchison.<\/p>\n

Scotland wing Rhona Lloyd is another signing as Sale aim to climb up the table.<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amy Cokayne<\/p>\n

Morwenna Talling<\/p>\n

Holly Aitchison<\/p>\n

Leicester Tigers<\/p>\n

In April, Fraser Goatcher was named Leicester Tigers’ director of women’s rugby and Ross Bundy was appointed head coach.<\/p>\n

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Tigers are on their third boss in as many seasons and have finished ninth and eighth over the past two campaigns.<\/p>\n

Losing Jones and Cokayne leaves them without an England international.<\/p>\n

Scotland wing Francesca McGhie, who bagged a hat-trick against Wales at the World Cup, has also left the club to join Trailfinders.<\/p>\n

The new coaching team have plenty of work to do.<\/p>\n

Gloucester\u2011Hartpury<\/p>\n

Gloucester\u2011Hartpury completed the three-peat<\/a> in March but will now be aiming to win a title without Sean Lynn, who departed the club at the end of last season to become head coach of Wales.<\/p>\n

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Lynn took charge in 2020 and was influential in the rise of the champions, but there is continuity with scrum coach Dan Murphy stepping up to the top job.<\/p>\n

Led by England captain Zoe Aldcroft and including scrum-half Natasha Hunt, Gloucester\u2011Hartpury have eight World Cup winners in their squad – the most of any side – and are favourites to secure another title.<\/p>\n

Number eight Alex Matthews scored twice in the World Cup final, but just as important to the champions will be last season’s PWR top points scorer Emma Sing.<\/p>\n

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The full-back has not been a regular for England but is a consistent high-level PWR performer.<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maud Muir<\/p>\n

Mackenzie Carson<\/p>\n

Zoe Aldcroft<\/p>\n

Alex Matthews<\/p>\n

Natasha Hunt<\/p>\n

Tatyana Heard<\/p>\n

Jade Shekells<\/p>\n

Emma Sing<\/p>\n

Saracens<\/p>\n

Led on the field by Lotte Sharp and former England captain Marlie Packer, who has dismissed questions about retiring after the World Cup,<\/a> last season’s runners-up Saracens will be aiming to secure their first title since 2022.<\/p>\n

England wing Jess Breach scored six tries at the World Cup, while fly-half Zoe Harrison also played a central role for the Red Roses.<\/p>\n

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Prop Kelsey Clifford, 23, stepped up during the tournament, scoring five tries to establish herself at the top level.<\/p>\n

The return of Canadian utility forward De Goede, who missed last season because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, could be the spark required for a title-winning campaign.<\/p>\n

Despite Canada losing the World Cup final, the 26-year-old goal-kicking lock was voted the best women’s player on the planet after only returning to action a month before the tournament.<\/p>\n

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“Hopefully we can put in a performance at club level [in the opening game] that matches the international level seen throughout the World Cup,” De Goede told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n

“That is so fans transitioning to club rugby can see it is of a high quality and can continue their excitement that they built through the World Cup.”<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kelsey Clifford<\/p>\n

May Campbell<\/p>\n

Rosie Galligan<\/p>\n

Marlie Packer<\/p>\n

Zoe Harrison<\/p>\n

Jess Breach<\/p>\n

\"Kelsey<\/p>\n

Kelsey Clifford scored twice in the World Cup quarter-final against Scotland [Getty Images]<\/p>\n

Bristol Bears<\/p>\n

Dave Ward, the husband of Bears and England lock Abbie, left the club in April after his side’s defeat by Gloucester-Hartpury in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

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Ward, who guided the Bears to the 2024 final and four successive semi-finals, has been replaced by former Scotland international Scott Lawson.<\/p>\n

Bears prop Hannah Botterman was at her rampaging best with England during the World Cup, while Ward scored a vital second-half try in the final.<\/p>\n

Both hooker Lark Atkin-Davies and prop Sarah Bern were important bench players who were used regularly by England coach John Mitchell.<\/p>\n

Social media sensation Ilona Maher had a brief spell at Bristol last season and her debut brought about a new record crowd for the league of 9,240.<\/p>\n

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The Red Roses stars with Bears will want to carry on the club’s momentum.<\/p>\n

England players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah Bern<\/p>\n

Hannah Botterman<\/p>\n

Lark Atkin-Davies<\/p>\n

Abbie Ward<\/p>\n

Opening fixture: <\/strong>Leicester Tigers, away (Sunday, 2 November)<\/p>\n

Dow remains unattached<\/p>\n

England wing Abby Dow is still to announce where she will play this season.<\/p>\n

A true game-breaker and one of the best wingers in the world, her decision could have a big say on the final standings.<\/p>\n

PWR matches on the BBC<\/p>\n

Streamed on the iPlayer and BBC Sport website.<\/p>\n

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Friday, 24 October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning (19:20-21:30 BST)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 25 October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester-Hartpury (14:50-17:00 BST)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 8 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sale Sharks v Trailfinders (14:50-17:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 15 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trailfinders v Bristol Bears (14:50-17:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 29 November<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loughborough Lightning v Leicester Tigers (14:50-17:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Sunday, 7 December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saracens v Loughborough Lightning (14:50-17:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Saturday, 13 December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harlequins v Sale Sharks (17:20-19:30 GMT)<\/p>\n

Sunday, 21 December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leicester Tigers v Gloucester-Hartpury (14:50-17:00 GMT)<\/p>\n

Further fixtures will be announced later in the season. Fixtures are subject to changes.<\/p>\n

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