Chiefs women take on second round of World Cup action head on

Exeter Chiefs Women proudly competed for their nations in the second round of Rugby World Cup 2025 as results varied from runaway score-lines to tied games with 10 of our players involved for five different countries.

England v Samoa - Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Our Red Roses enjoyed a joyous second weekend of the campaign in Northampton. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald returned to the world stage as she started at 11 with club teammate Maddie Feaunati joining her in the starting line-up at number eight.

The England women got off to a storming start with a try just three minutes in. What followed was a further 13 tries scored by 11 different players, including both Chiefs women. Feaunati scored 24 minutes in having skilfully controlled the ball at the back of a scrum metres from the line to guide the ball over the line to touch down.

Moloney-MacDonald signed off her return game with a try of her own in the 80th minute as the Red Roses finalised the 92-3 scoreline. Though applause was given to Samoa when fly-half Harmony Vatau scored her nation's first points with a penalty in the second half.

Next up for the Red Roses will be Australia in Brighton next Saturday evening.

United States v Australia - LNER Community Stadium, York

Chiefs players Hope Rogers and Gabby Cantorna were then part of what many are already calling the 'game of the tournament' as the USA Eagles and Australian Wallaroos competed ferociously with nothing to separate the sides at full-time.

In a 31-31 game, Rogers - the most capped Eagle of all time, playing in her fourth World Cup - put in an 80-minute performance while Cantorna made her first appearance of the tournament when she was substituted onto the field 57 minutes in.

The result now leaves both USA and Australia in contention for a knockout stage berth behind pool leaders England in the Pool A standings. USA will face Samoa in York next Saturday afternoon to determine their fate.

Canada v Wales - Salford Community Stadium, Manchester

In the north of England, our three Canadians were all in the starting line-up for their clash against Wales in Pool B. A shutout performance from the Canadians secured Wales's fate of exiting the tournament before the knockout stages.

Alex Tessier captained the side to what the BBC deemed "an attacking masterclass with a six-try blitz". She said post-match: "It was maybe not our best performance but we still got the job done, we got five points and we're ready for next."

"We forced a lot of turnovers. We knocked on the ball way too many times, maybe 27 handling errors, so we can improve for the next game. When we play and retain that ball I think our style is exciting but we gave up momentum, so that is key for us."

The Canadians play Scotland next weekend at Sandy Park in a crucial last pool game on Saturday, 6 October.  Tickets for that game are available here. 

Ireland v Spain - Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Sunday was a special day for Nancy McGillivray as she made her World Cup debut for Ireland having only received her international first cap for the women in green in a warm-up game for the tournament. Named on the bench for the match, she was introduced to the field just after the hour mark as Ireland held strong to defeat Spain 43-27.

Hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, who is playing in her second World Cup had said pre-match: "I'm very excited to play against Spain, they offer a different challenge to Japan. They have a lot of talented players especially some of their backs who can be very threatening and exciting with ball in hand. As a squad, we are trying to build momentum after a positive start last week and build towards the next two pool games."

Our Irish players will now prepare to go head-to-head with Chiefs' new signing Amy Rule as the reigning champions, the Black Ferns are Ireland's next test in Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

Italy v South Africa - LNER Community Stadium, York

South Africa stunned Italy with a 74th minute try to take the win and secure their first ever Women's quarter-final berth in the competition.

It was a stronger and more confident performance from the Italians who had frustratingly lost their opening round encounter to France 24-0. Summer signing Francesca Granzotto was brought onto the field in the 70th minute but a composed Springbok side already had their sights set on stealing the win. 

Italy will access their performance and now prepare to face Brazil, who scored their first try of the tournament at Sandy Park yesterday, for their last Pool D match at Franklin's Gardens next Sunday afternoon.