Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy visits University of Nottingham after Red Roses triumph
The University of Nottingham is set to host the Community Rugby trophy tour on Friday 6 March 2026 at the David Ross Sports Village to celebrate the incredible success of England’s Red Roses, and students and staff are invited to have their photo taken with the famous silverware.
Published 03 Mar 2026
This visit comes in recognition of the Red Roses’ unforgettable achievement in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. England lifted the trophy with a commanding 33-13 victory over Canada in the final held at Twickenham Stadium, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 81,885 passionate supporters (the largest ever attendance for a women’s rugby match). The win marked England’s third World Cup title, adding to their 1994 and 2014 triumphs and underlining their status as one of the sport’s most dominant teams.
Celebrate the Red Roses’ Victory
From 11:00am – 1:00pm on Friday 6 March, the iconic world cup trophy will be on display at the David Ross Sports Village. Students, staff, alumni, and supporters from across the University community are welcome to stop by and take photos - a unique opportunity to capture a piece of rugby history on campus.
In the afternoon, David Ross Sports Village will host a rugby session on their 3G pitch for 2 local schools, giving local children the opportunity to see the trophy and have their photos taken with it.
We are absolutely thrilled to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy on our campus. The success of the Red Roses has inspired rugby communities across the country and here in Nottingham we feel that energy every day in our club. This event is a brilliant chance for the University family to celebrate women’s sport and connect with one of the greatest achievements in rugby.
Tim Westwood, Head of Women’s Rugby at the University of Nottingham
Seeing the trophy here at David Ross Sports Village will be a huge moment for all of us, especially our players past and present. It’s a reminder of what can be achieved with passion, teamwork, and belief. We can’t wait to share that excitement with everyone.
Emma Avey, President of the University’s Women’s Rugby Club
University of Nottingham Women’s Rugby: Building Success
The University of Nottingham boasts a thriving women’s rugby programme that reflects both competitive excellence and community growth:
- 1st XV: League winners this season in BUCS Premier North. The team secured the league title and progress to the Women's BUCS Super Rugby play-off on 18 March.
- 2nd XV: Sitting 2nd in BUCS Midlands Tier 1, demonstrating strong depth across the squad.
- 3rd XV: Positioned 3rd in BUCS Midlands Tier 3, highlighting the club’s broad competitive presence across divisions.
The University is one of only three universities in the UK to field three women’s teams in the BUCS leagues, a testament to the commitment to women’s sport.
Growing the game on and off the pitch
The club’s growth continues at pace:
- The Path2Pitch introductory programme welcomed new players of all abilities, expanding membership from 89 to 130 players in just one year.
- The “Joining the Journey” social media campaign highlighted new players recruited via open days and events, strengthening club culture and visibility.
- Nottingham-based financial services data company Datagum joined as the club’s principal sponsor on a three-year deal, enabling further investment in performance and development pathways.
- An impressive 20 student players are completing their England Rugby Coaching Award alongside their studies and playing commitments - equipping them to coach within the University and inspire the next generation of girls and young women in the community.
This trophy visit is more than a celebration; it is an invitation to everyone at the University of Nottingham to engage with rugby’s proudest moment and to be inspired by the Red Roses’ world-champion journey.
England Rugby