Rugby Union things to look forward to in 2025

I thought I'd take some time to give some thoughts on what we have to look forward to in 2025 and with it being a Lions year and a Women's World Cup year there's a lot!

Men's Six Nations

February sees the return of The men's Six Nations and there's a lot to be fought over.

For England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland players there's the added incentive of trying to win a Lion's touring spot to Australia. As was shown prior to South Africa a good Six Nations can get you on the plane, take Chris Harris who's Gloucester and Scotland form earned him that.

Wales need a win from somewhere and will target an Italy team who you don't know what you're going to get with them. England need to show improvement as following the autumn Steve Borthwick is hugely under pressure. Scotland will be desperate to kick on, they've shown they can beat England but they need to secure a win over France or Ireland. As for France and Ireland they both want to show the other who the top northern hemisphere team is.

Women's Premiership

Can Gloucester-Hartpury retain their title? Saracens, Bristol, Harlequins and Exeter will all have something to say about that. It's a huge few months for the women's game with a World Cup on the horizon. But it's the domestic game where focus is for the first part of the year. Gloucester-Hartpury haven't been their usual dominant selves. We could see a brilliant end to the season with World Cup places up for grabs and a domestic title for one of what looks like five teams. Also throw in Ilona Maher being a Brisrol Bear and the excitement and exposure to the competition that brings.

Men's Premiership

As I've said in other blog posts I think Bath are now favourites for the title and given their depth I can't see anyone stopping them with a Premiership title at Twickenham. We will as ever have a race to the top four that goes all the way and there'll be twists and turns along the way. Now Exeter have their first win I think they'll kick on and leave Newcastle at the bottom, although Falcons put huge emphasis on their home games especially against Gloucester and Harlequins. Will there be a relegation play-off? At this stage it looks unlikely due to criteria to be met. For what it's worth having a competition where you don't know if relegation will happen or not is mad, this is supposed to be elite level sport.

Champions Cup

Cardiff is hosting the Champions and Challenge Cup Final weekend this year and depending on how draws work I can't see past Toulouse or Leinster. If we get a repeat of last years final it will be a hell of an afternoon in Cardiff. Although other teams are doing well like Northampton, La Rochelle, Saracens, Bordeaux and Toulon. Toulouse and Leinster look a cut above everyone else. But once we hit knock out rugby strange results can start to happen.

Lions in Australia

Before the autumn this wasn't getting as much excitement around it as previous tours. But now we have a competitive Australia who won at Twickenham and in Cardiff and will relish the opportunity to take on Britain's finest on home turf.

Test matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will be ones to relish. I'm especially looking forward to the second test at The MCG, it's a colosseum and whoever is one down after the first test will be desperate to take it to the third.

The other great thing about this Lions tour is fans are back. The fans are what makes sport. If you're a lion and you walk out to a sea of red it must make you feel that little bit stronger. Aside from that Australia is a great touring destination and no doubt there will be memories made.

Women's World Cup

Sixteen nations descend on England for the Women's Rugby World Cup in August and this could be epic. The tournament kicks off with England's red roses taking on Australia at The Stadium of Light, Sunderland. I hope that the north east public get out and support this as game sets the tone for the tournament.

England go into this as favourites but Canada, New Zealand and France will have something to say about this. England are desperate to show that their results mean they should be World Champions but all it takes is one bad performance.

I'm excited to see the likes of Brazil, Japan, Fiji and Samoa in this tournament and see what they can do on a big stage. Hopefully it all ends on 27th September with a sold out Twickenham seeing an England World Cup win.

Verdict

As you can see we have a lot to look forward to in 2025 and I for one cannot wait!