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Rugby | World Rugby Women's Rankings: 9 August, 2025

Written on . Posted in SA Rugby.

World Rugby has published the permutations for the women's rankings this week in its preview.

World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the final round of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 warm-up matches this weekend.

Permutation highlights:

  • Canada will surrender second place to New Zealand if they are beaten by Ireland in their final Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 warm-up match in Belfast.
  • A loss by more than 15 points would also see Canada fall another place if France can end England’s 26-match winning run.
  • France cannot improve on fourth place on their own result as a win by more than 15 points will still leave Les Bleues 0.02 rating points behind New Zealand.
  • England will only gain a maximum of 0.20 rating points for beating France, although defeat for Canada could see the Red Roses’ advantage at the top grow to 9.02 points.
  • Victory for Canada will see them break through the 90-point barrier for the first time since the World Rugby Women’s Rankings were introduced in February 2016.
  • Ireland will remain fifth whatever happens this weekend against Canada as they cannot catch France in fourth or drop below Australia below.
  • Italy cannot improve their rating with victory over the lower-ranked Japan as a result of the 7.23 rating point difference before home weighting is factored in.
  • However, failure to win will see Italy swap places with Scotland below to fall to eighth.
  • Japan cannot enter the top 10 for the first time even with a win by more than 15 points as they would still trail USA in 10th by 0.22 rating points.

VIEW WORLD RUGBY WOMEN'S RANKINGS >>

Match officials:

  • Aurélie Groizeleau (France) takes charge of Ireland v Canada for the first time. Ireland have lost their last three tests with the French official in charge, while Canada have won both of their encounters, including the historic first win over New Zealand in 2024. 
  • Sara Cox (England) referees Italy v Japan for the first time in what will be her seventh test in the middle in Italy. The Azzurre have a W1, L1 record with Cox in the middle in 2025, while Japan own their only test with the English official, beating Wales 52-10 back in 2017.
  • Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) will referee France v England for the fourth time, having overseen three victories for the Red Roses to date, including the 2023 Women's Six Nations grand slam decider played before a record crowd of 58,948.

World Rugby Women's rankings, Aimee Barrett-Theron