The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has given us a stirring display of fitness, ability, and sheer determination, all culminating in a semi-final double-header that will be nothing but legendary. This article is a full preview of two high-profile clashes: a blockbuster match-up between reigning champions New Zealand's Black Ferns and a resilient Canada side, and the traditional "Le Crunch" when reigning England host determined France. Winners of these confrontations will earn the highly coveted right of a spot in the final, with the potential to write their names in rugby textbooks and win the world championship's ultimate title.

The stakes are as high as they get. For New Zealand, it's the opportunity to hold onto their title on home soil. For Canada, it's the opportunity to be at a World Cup final for the first time ever. For England, it's about extending an unprecedented winning streak and claiming victory in front of their raucous home crowd. And for France, it's the opportunity to beat their arch-nemesis and finally make it to a final which has alluded them for so long.

• Date: Friday, 19th September 2025

• Kick-off Time: 18:00 UTC (7:00 PM local in England)

• Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol, England

• Competition: Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, Semi-Final

New Zeland's quarter-final 46-17 victory against South Africa (Image Source: Click Here)

New Zealand (The Black Ferns), the unchallenged leaders of women's rugby have dominated the competition with the poise and strength of champions. They dominated their group with dominating performances, showing their typical attack play and merciless finishing. Their journey to the semi-final was marked by them weathering a tough physical beating at the expense of a dogged South Africa in the quarter-final before beating them 46-17. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the Black Ferns' coaching team were reportedly administered a "ruck-up" at half time for a lack of accuracy and execution. This was an object lesson of utmost significance, as they counterattacked with 29 points for no reply during the second half, demonstrating their mental toughness and ability to shift gears in the course of a game. Their game is built on silky ball handling, astute offloads, and an ability to create turnovers, quickly translating defense into forceful attack. They have demonstrated that they can take brutal physicality in their stride while imposing their running-based game.

Canada beat Australia 46-5 at Ashton Gate (Image Source: Click Here)

Canada has been nothing less than phenomenal all throughout the tournament. The No. 2-ranked team in the world has steamrolled their pool-stage rivals and produced a masterclass in their quarter-final, decimating Australia with a thumping 46-5 win. Their four-match winning streak is an indicator of their consistency and better preparation. What's even more impressive is that Canada never were behind throughout the tournament, an impressive fact that tells us a lot about their good start and ability to control games. They were widely praised in their quarter-final match against the Wallaroos with their good defense, aggressive forward pack, and improved backline. This Canadian team enters the semi-finals not just as opponents, but as a very real threat to Black Fern dominance.

New Zealand has traditionally had an enormous advantage over Canada, reflecting their long history of dominance in women's rugby. However, recent encounters paint a picture of an increasingly narrowing gap between the two nations.

The 27-27 2025 Pacific Four Series draw is particularly important. Furthermore, Canada defeated New Zealand in 2024 for the first time ever, which constitutes a shift of balance of power. These latest wins prove that Canada is not any more a team to be bullied and can indeed match, even defeat, the world's best.

1. The New Zealand lost a massive blow with centre Amy du Plessis unavailable for the remainder of the tournament with a shoulder injury suffered in the quarter final. Both attack and defence will be missed by her. Mererangi Paul replaces her in the team, bringing her pace and flair to the team. Search for seasoned prop Pip Love, lively loose forward Kennedy Simon, and fiery winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to lead New Zealand's charge. Ruahei Demant's kicking ability will also be vital in such a tight contest.

2. Canada will be relying heavily on the leadership and all-around quality of captain and No. 8 Sophie de Goede, who was rightly Player of the Match in their comprehensive quarter-final victory. Her presence around the breakdown and her powerful carries will be crucial. Outside centre Alysha Corrigan, who touched down twice in the last match, will be a threat attack-wise, as will scrumhalf Justine Pelletier who dictates the pace of their play. Their tight five, spearheaded by front-row veterans, will be tasked with laying a strong platform at the set-piece.

• New Zealand's Plan: The Black Ferns will indeed try to play a free-flowing, fast-paced game. They will attempt to unleash their powerful outside backs with rapid ball from the breakdown and effective handling. The possession turnover and attacking on mistakes will form an important pillar of their game plan. The ruck contest will be crucial to them in delivering the rapid ball on which their attack is based.

• Canada's Strategy: Canada's strategy to defeat the Black Ferns will be based around their world-class forward pack. They will try to dominate the set-pieces – lineout and scrum – to deny New Zealand clean possession. They will employ their excellent- drilled defense and incessant breakdown pressure, led by de Goede, to get in the Black Ferns' faces and ask them for possession. Expect an attacking, aggressive form, with pick-and-go phases and high-carrying to build momentum and draw penalties.

• Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 14:30 UTC (3:30 PM local time in England)

• Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol, England

• Competition: Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, Semi-Final

France scored 18 unanswered second-half points to beat Ireland (Image Source: Click Here)

France (Les Bleues) has played brilliant strength and consistency throughout the tournament. Having led their pool with a combination of style and tactical astuteness, they were put to the test in the quarter-final by a stubborn Ireland. Trailing 13-0 at the interval, France mounted an unbelievable comeback to record an 18-13 victory. Not only did this come-from-behind success reveal their psychological robustness, but also their ability to modify their tactics under pressure. Their brand of play is characterized by a powerful forward pack, there is an attack defense, and flashes of individual genius from their innovative back halves and outside backs. This victory against Ireland will certainly provide them with huge confidence prior to facing their nemesis.

England beat Scotland 40-8 in Bristol (Image Source: Click Here)

England (The Red Roses) enters this semi-final on a record-breaking wave of accomplishment, on the back of the record 31-match winning spree. They have been relentless, sweeping their pool with overwhelming victories and then dispatching Scotland in the quarter-final with a thumping 40-8 win. Playing before their passionate home grounds, the Red Roses have not felt like slowing down. Their quarter-final encounter with Scotland, where they weathered an early storm before taking charge, was a testament to their strength of character and their ability to let loose their huge forward pack. England's play is built on set-piece excellence, persistent driving maul, and highly coached defense that does its job to suffocate opposition attacks, leaving a platform for their thrilling backline to stretch the lines.

England versus France, or "Le Crunch," is one of world rugby's most brutal. While matches are usually closely contested, England possesses a dominant historical record.

England's recent 16-match winning streak against France is an indication of their dominance right now. In their recent World Cup warm-up match, England beat France 40-6, a brutal reminder of what the Red Roses are capable of. Their Six Nations game earlier in the year, however, was won by the thinnest of margins, showing that when the chips are down, France can push England to the brink.

1. France may face some trouble with likely disciplinary action following their quarter-final victory against Ireland, during which some players were cited. Whether or not their team selection and overall strategy would be impacted by the availability of these key players is yet to be seen. The players like captain Gaëlle Hermet, big-blowing prop Annaëlle Deshayes, and innovative scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus will be crucial. Fly-half Jessy Trémoulière's kicking prowess will be important as well.

2. England will be well-served by the return of their important captain Zoe Aldcroft from injury, whose work rate and leadership in the forwards are irreplaceable. However, they will have missed fullback Ellie Kildunne, who suffered a concussion in their last game, providing an opportunity for another excellent player to take their place. Key performers like tireless hooker Amy Cokayne, dynamic No. 8 Sarah Hunter, and pace-setting wingers Abby Dow and Holly Aitchison will lead England's strategy.

• France's Plan: France will rely on their physicality and technical acumen to keep pace with England. Their forwards will attempt to disrupt England's set-piece dominance and win the breakdown battle. They will look to create opportunities to release their inventive backs with quick taps, well-placed kicks, and individual brilliance to exploit any defensive vulnerability. Their adventurous defense will attempt to put pressure on England's decision-makers in enormous amounts.

• England's Game-Plan: England will stick to their time-tested formula: controlling the set-piece, particularly their nasty driving maul, to gain ground and points. They will employ their big forward pack to exhaust the French defense. From this foundation, their half-backs will attempt to release their ball-carrying centers who are hard to stop and speedy wingers. Kicking for territory and penalty goals with accuracy will also be a potent weapon.

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This semi-final is going to be one thrilling game. Canada's record has been flawless, and their recent comeback against the Black Ferns is a testament to the fact that they are now not awed. Nevertheless, New Zealand's semi-final World Cup experience, their ability to recover from pressure, and their home-ground advantage (even playing in England, their charm cannot be disputed) will turn out to be the differentiating factors. Seek a tight first half, with the Black Ferns' additional depth and experience of big-time games ultimately enabling them to create the space.

• Final Score Prediction: New Zealand 28 - 20 Canada

"Le Crunch" in a World Cup semi-final is the stuff of legends. While France have shown incredible resilience, England's record-breaking sequence of wins and their sheer dominance, especially at home, are all but unbeatable to bet against. Their clinical forwards pack and finishing have been unstoppable. France will bring their customary physicality and passion with them, and they will make it a brutal contest, but England's depth, tactical nous, and mental resilience established over their run of victories should see them through.

• Final Score Prediction: England 25 - 15 France

These two semi-finals look like they will be titanic struggles, with the world's best women's rugby to see. Both will fully deserve to be in the World Cup final, and these will certainly be ones to remember for rugby enthusiasts everywhere.