Rugby World Cup: Ex-England captain Catherine Spencer on Red Roses ‘vital’ promotion of body positivity | OneFootball

England will fight for their place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday when they take on France in Bristol.

The Red Roses beat Scotland in a dominant 40-8 win to reach the semi-finals, extending their record-winning run to 31 matches. France fought hard to edge past Ireland 18-13 in their quarter-final clash. Les Bleues have never finished higher than third at a World Cup and will be hoping to cause a major upset on English soil.

The last time the Red Roses met France, they played out a nail-biting 43-42 Six Nations title decider back in April. Whoever emerges triumphant at Ashton Gate will take on Canada in the final.

While the nation continues to get behind the Red Roses in their quest for a third World Cup, former captain Catherine Spencer discussed the reach of the tournament and what it means for growth, grassroots support and body positivity.

2025 World Cup breaking viewing records

The 2025 World Cup has already made major waves, with more than seven million people tuning in to watch the pool stages. Records were shattered when the opening weekend surpassed the viewing reach of the entire 2021 tournament. The World Cup in Aotearoa (New Zealand) — played in 2022 — attracted 3.7 million viewers overall. Meanwhile, 2025’s opening weekend hit 4.6 million live viewers.

“It’s a huge tournament. The amount of people who are talking about it, watching it, and the amount of time we’ve got it on our TVs is absolutely phenomenal,” former England captain Spencer told Her Football Hub.

“The amount of people talking about ‘the World Cup’, not ‘the Women’s World Cup’… that’s what’s so great.”

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Described as a ‘physical and fearless No.8,’ Spencer earned 63 caps for the Red Roses and took on the captaincy in 2007. She led her country to three successive Six Nations titles before stepping down in 2010 as the longest-serving captain at the time.

“It’s following the wave of women’s football after the Euros. So it feels like a really good time to be in sport. But there’s also this opportunity of growth in women’s sport,” Spencer continued.

The England Lionesses defended their European crown earlier this summer. With less than a month between Euro 2025 and the Rugby World Cup, Spencer is hoping typical non-rugby fans will take this opportunity to soak up the sport through another major tournament involving an England side.

“Why not give it a go? If you’re out there and you haven’t watched rugby before, stick on the TV. Watch the Red Roses play and you’ll see that same atmosphere and vibe as the Lionesses. Just give it a go!”

Red Roses inspiring supporters and the next generation

Spencer captained her country during the last home World Cup in 2010. They reached the final, but record holders New Zealand beat them 13-10 to shatter the English dream. The Red Roses have lifted the title twice in their history and come second on six occasions.

“In a way, it’s a silly thing to say now because I’m about to do it. But I’d say it’s indescribable,” Spencer laughed when asked about the experience. “To play in a World Cup is exciting and it’s a huge honour, but to be captain and to do it on home soil and play in front of your crowd is just humongous. Not every international player gets to do that, so it’s a massive moment. I hope the current players do take a few moments just to think, ‘Wow, look at what we’re part of.’ It’s huge for them.

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“Some might say there’s that extra pressure, but they can use that as fuel and thrive off it. There’s great travelling support as well for the other nations, and you want that, but there is such a lift from the people watching. It feels like the country is really behind them. They’re getting more media presence because it’s on home soil and there are more people aware of what’s happening.”

Spencer also highlighted the importance of how major tournaments like the World Cup can influence those tuning in. Ahead of the campaign, England Rugby released its empowering ‘For the Girls’ promotion video.

Read more: How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup around the world

The National Lottery has invested more than £6 billion into grassroots clubs and organisations over the last 30 years. More than £170 million has been put into nearly 4,000 rugby projects to support rising and world-class talent in women’s rugby.

“It’s hugely important in lots of sports because if you can’t see it, you can’t be it,” Spencer continued. “In the past, we’ve had to have brave people to be it so others can see it. For young girls and young boys as well — there are names they can be talking about: Sarah Bern, Emily Scarratt, Ellie Kildunne… they can talk about these names and they can look up to them and say, ‘Yeah, I want to be like that when I’m older.'”

Women’s rugby promoting body positivity

A huge talking point within women’s rugby is the body positivity it promotes. Right now, body image negativity remains a huge issue in society, with social media playing a significant part in a lot of cases.

According to Mental Health UK, 60 percent of adults have felt a negative emotion about their body at some point, and 89 percent of the British public believe physical appearance matters in today’s society. Over one in five adults and 40 percent of teenagers say images on social media cause them to feel negatively about their bodies.

Women’s rugby is playing a huge part in promoting healthy attitudes towards body image. Spencer stressed it is ‘hugely vital’ that this continues within the sport.

“Particularly in rugby, unlike other sports, you need people of different shapes and sizes. If you’re a young girl or boy sitting at home and thinking, ‘I’m not really built for sport,’ actually, you are! You are definitely built for rugby, and that’s what’s really powerful.

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“Just look at the Red Roses when they go out on the pitch. We’ve got our props in the likes of Sarah Bern, who is different in size and shape to the likes of Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer at nine, to Ellie Kildunne at full-back. The team wouldn’t function without those different skillsets and strengths. Everybody looks different, and they have to, otherwise the team wouldn’t work.”

Spencer also encouraged others of all ages and skill levels to try rugby for themselves.

“If you turn up to your local club, they will grab onto you with open arms. You will be so welcomed. In women’s rugby, they are experts at coaching all levels and including people in the game. You can go for full contact rugby, or there’s also non-contact parts of the game — touch rugby, tag rugby, even walking rugby. From personal experience, it’s a great sport and the team environment is fantastic, the camaraderie is brilliant. If you’ve never been before and you go down, you’ll enjoy it and you’ll make friends for life.”