Brazil and Italy go into battle in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Sunday. The match brings to an end Brazil’s inaugural participation in a Rugby World Cup tournament. Italy will also conclude their involvement in the tournament.
Both teams fell in their earlier two pool matches. It means the final weekend of the pool phase sees a battle for first in the pool, between France and South Africa, and a battle to avoid bottom spot. Italy enter the contest with 2 competition points while Brazil remain on 0.
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Current World Ranking: 25 (45.96 points)
2026-08-31 – France 84-05 Brazil (Exeter, GB-ENG)
2026-08-24 – South Africa 66-6 Brazil (Northampton, GB-ENG)
2025-07-19 – Brazil 22-0 Netherlands (São Paulo, BR)
2025-07-12 – Brazil 5-35 Netherlands (Jacareí, BR)
2025-06-14 – Brazil 58-7 Colombia (São Paulo)
Current World Ranking: 9 (72.37 points)
2025-08-31 – South Africa 29-24 Italy (York, GB-ENG)
2025-08-23 – France 23-0 Italy (Exeter, GB-ENG)
2025-08-09 – Italy 33-15 Japan (Calvisano, IT)
2025-07-25 – Italy 34-29 Scotland (Viadana, IT)
- International Women’s XV competition will officially begin between Brazil and Italy on Sunday.
- This is the 10th Women’s Rugby World Cup and the first featuring a South American participant.
- Italy has competed at five previous Women’s Rugby World Cups.
- Italy’s Women’s Rugby World Cup debut was in the inaugural tournament in 1991.
- Italy have a -29 point’s differential compared to Brazil’s -139.
- Changes to Brazil’s line-up mean captain Eshyllen Coimbra and Larissa Carvalho are the only forwards to retain their places.
- In the backs Mariana Nicolau returns to the line-up while both wings have been changed with Giovanna Barth and Bianca Silva starting. In the halves Aline Mayumi and Raquel Kochhann, who started against South Africa, return to be the halves combination.
- Assistant Referee Maria Heitor speaks the Portuguese language.
Italy have had a mixed tournament and remain winless. The Central Europeans were sounds beaten by France and ran South Africa. Meanwhile, Brazil was outmatched by both teams. Brazil are now looking to combat the skill-set of the Italians, a team who are looking to get a win while Brazil seek a first competition point. afternoon conditions await the players in the cathedral city of Exeter. Italy are clear favorites to win in Exeter.
BRAZIL
15 Fernanda Tenório, 14 Giovanna Barth, 13 Marina Fioravanti, 12 Mariana Nicolau, 11 Bianca Silva, 10 Raquel Kochhann, 9 Aline Mayumi Bednarski, 8 Camilla Ísis Carvalho, 7 Larissa Carvalho, 6 Larissa Henwood, 5 Dayana Dakar, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra (c), 3 Pâmela Santos, 2 Júlia Leni, 1 Franciele Barros
Replacements: 16 Isabela Saccomanno, 17 Taís Prioste, 18 Giovana Mamede, 19 Marcelle Cruz, 20 Ana Carolina Santana, 21 Letícia Medeiros, 22 Leila Silva, 23 Edna Santini
ITALY
15 Vittoria Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Giada Corradini, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Francesca Granzotto, 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Alia Bitonci, 8 Elisa Giordano, 7 Isabella Locatelli, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 5 Alessandra Frangipani, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 3 Sara Seye, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 1 Gaia Maris
Replacements 16 Lara Gurioli, 17 Silvia Turani, 18 Alessia Pilani, 19 Beatrice Veronese, 20 Alissa Ranuccini, 21 Sofia Stefan, 22 Emma Stevanin, 23 Gaia Buso
Date: Sunday, September 07
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter (GB-ENG)
Kickoff: 2:00pm local (10:00am Brasília)
Weather Forecast: Light Rain, 28°C, wind 24km/h)
Broadcasts: Disney + (Brazil), ESPN2 (Brazil); RugbyPass TV
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ella Goldsmith (Australia); Maria Heitor (Portugal)
Television Match Official: Andrew McMeneny (Scotland)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (0): 0, 0
