(L-R) Rachel Malcolm (Scotland), Saki Minami (Japan), Siwan Lillicrap (Wales), Shannon Perry (Australia), Gaelle Hermet (France), Sarah Hunter (England), Kennedy Simon (New Zealand), Sereima Leweniqila (Fiji), Kate Zackary (USA), Nolusindiso Booi (South Africa), Sophie de Goede (Canada) and Elisa Giordano (Italy) pose in front of a mural specially created for the tournament during the Rugby World Cup 2021 Captains' Photocall at Eden Park on 2 October 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Hagen Hopkins - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
World Rugby has confirmed the pools next year's Women's Rugby World Cup and the two Pacific Islands teams are set to have an uphill battle in England if they want to reach the knockout stages.
Samoa have been drawn with World No.1 and hosts England, Australia (5), and the USA (9) in pool A. While Fiji have been grouped with Canada (2), Scotland (8), and Wales (10) in pool B.
The defending champion Black Ferns have been drawn with Ireland, Japan and Spain in pool C. France, Italy, South Africa and Brazil complete the 16-team completion in pool D.
Teams will play each of their pool opponents over three weekends with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Players of Samoa and Madagascar celebrate each-others achievements following the WXV 3 2024 match between Samoa v Madagascar at The Sevens 2 Stadium on 11 October 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Samoa qualified for their first Women's Rugby World Cup since 2014 after finishing third overall in the WXV 3 competition.
World Rugby said the fixtures for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, from 22 August to 27
September, will be revealed next Tuesday, 22 October via the tournament website.
"With anticipation building amongst fans and teams for next year's showpiece event, today marks an important step forward to what will be an unmissable tournament," Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey, said.
"Next week will see the tournament celebrate another exciting milestone, as we unveil the match schedule, allowing fans, host locations and teams to start preparing their Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 experience in earnest," she added.
All 16 teams qualified for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 in England. Photo: World Rugby