Scotland women and the 14 month journey – RWC 2025 schedule: Two Pool B matches in Manchester and one in Exeter with Wales first up

Gary Heatly

Scotland will open up their Rugby World Cup campaign against Wales at Salford Community Stadium in Manchester on Saturday, August 23 next year.

That game kicks-off at 2.45pm while their second match will also be played at the same stadium the following weekend when they take on Fiji on Saturday, August 30. Kick-off for that one is also 2.45pm.

Scotland’s final group stage match will be played at Sandy Park, the home of Exeter Chiefs, on Saturday, September 6 at 12pm when they take on Canada.

Should they finish top of the Pool, Scotland would play the runners-up from Pool A in a quarter-final at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol on Saturday, September 13 at 4pm.

A runners-up spot in the Pool would see Scotland taking on the Pool A winners at the same Bristol venue on Sunday, September 14 at 4pm.

The 16-team event all runs from Friday, August 22 when England and USA meet in Pool A at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to Saturday, September 27 when the final will be held at Twickenham Stadium in London at 4pm.

When the schedule for all teams was released on Tuesday, October 22, World Rugby said the match schedule has been developed with team and fan experience at heart, with exciting match ups in each of the eight host locations, family friendly kick-off times and optimised team travel.

Aligned with World Rugby standards, each team will also benefit from a minimum of six rest days between Pool matches enabling the world’s top teams to prepare and perform at their best.

Six double header fixtures will take place during the pool stages, generating a festival atmosphere in the host locations and creating a day-out for families and local communities. With child prices available at all matches including the opening and knock-out matches and a vast majority of kick-off times in the afternoon, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be the family event of the year inspiring the next generation of players in England.

The pool stage will culminate in a huge weekend of matches across four venues, with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals and the knock-out phase.

With 95 percent of the population in England within two hours of a match venue, fans will have an unprecedented opportunity to see rugby’s biggest stars in action, while host cities are getting ready to welcome international travelling fans with iconic and vibrant local experiences.

Find out more about the Pool stadiums…

Salford Community Stadium in Manchester here

Sandy Park in Exeter here

What they said…

Rugby World Cup 2025 managing director Sarah Massey said:  “The confirmation of the match schedule brings a wave of excitement as fans in the host nation and around the globe can now mark their calendars for this era-defining tournament.

“With thrilling match ups and unforgettable moments guaranteed across the length and breadth of the country, the stage is set for the world’s top teams to showcase the very best of women’s rugby. Whether you’re a rugby fan or a newcomer, join us and be part of this unstoppable energy and historic moment.”

A reminder re ticket info

With excitement building, fans will have the opportunity to apply for tickets for all matches from 11am UK time on Tuesday, November 5 until 11am on Tuesday, November 19. Ballots will be used for any price categories which are oversubscribed.

Prior to the two-week ticket application phase, Worldwide Partner Mastercard is offering its cardholders access to a 48-hour priority sale for all matches from 11am UK time on Tuesday, October 22 until 11am on Thursday, October 24 at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com – only Mastercard payments will be accepted during this priority window.

See all fixtures here

Evie Gallagher and Helen Nelson are shown in the recent match versus Wales, thanks to Mark Brown

GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk