A striking new mural has been unveiled on the side of Salford Watersports Centre ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
The mural is the third Women’s Rugby World Cup mural and was unveiled to mark one month until the tournament begins.
The artwork itself features England Red Rose and Sale Sharks player, Morwenna Talling, alongside 12-year-old Orla O’Hare – celebrating the heroes of present and the future.
Celebrating the next chapter of rugby, Orla was introduced to rugby through Impact ’25 legacy funded activity delivered by Sale Sharks.
Following the unveiling of the new mural, Orla shared what it means to her and the sport, as she said: “I think it is really cool, and it is such a great spot in the city, and I think this represents what rugby as a sport is all about.
“Something like this really promotes the sport and really shows the good and strong community rugby has, it is bringing everyone together of all ages and gender. So, I think this is amazing.”
The unveiling of the mural was also marked with a photoshoot and interviews with key spokespeople, including Orla O’Hare, the young player featured in the mural, Gill Burns, former Red Rose, and World Cup winner.
As well as Cllr Jack Youd, Salford Deputy City Mayor, Cllr Hannah Robinson Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports, and Leisure – who were celebrating a huge moment in history for the city.
Deputy City Mayor Jack Youd said: “Hosting part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is another proud moment in Salford’s history.
“Rugby has deep roots here, and this tournament is a chance to celebrate that passion, welcome new fans, and showcase our city on the world stage.
He continued: “The mural is a powerful reminder of the pride we have in our communities and the importance of bringing world-class sport right to our doorstep.”
The giant artwork is the third such mural to help celebrate the tournament, with each featuring a current Red Rose and a local, young rugby-playing girl, placed in a prominent position within Bristol, Northampton, and Salford.
The murals, which were created by street design company MurWalls, have been funded through the RFU’s World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact ’25, delivered by the RFU in partnership with the UK Government, Sport England, and UK Sport.
The programme sees over £14.55m of Government funding committed to the sport in England and the home unions up to the end of March 2026, creating more opportunities for women and girls to get involved in rugby.
Alex Teasdale, the RFU Women’s Game Director, said: “As we count down to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, we’re proud to be celebrating the people and places at the heart of our game. These murals are not just a tribute to our incredible Red Roses, but a powerful statement about the future.
“Through the Impact ‘25 legacy programme, we’re working to ensure that this World Cup leaves a lasting legacy not just in stadiums, but in schools, clubs and towns and cities across the country.
“We hope these murals serve as a daily reminder that rugby is for everyone, and that young girls everywhere can see themselves in the sport.”
And with a focus on creating more opportunities for women and girls to get involved in rugby, Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith shared how important something like this to the sport in the city.
Cllr Robinson-Smith said: “It’s fantastic to see young girls like Orla at the heart of this mural, celebrating their love for the game and inspiring others.
“The Women’s Rugby World Cup isn’t just about the matches, it’s about creating opportunities, breaking barriers and helping more women and girls see themselves in sport. I’m so proud that Salford is part of that story.”
The tournament itself is to be hosted in a countrywide format that will make it the most accessible Women’s Rugby World Cup ever.
The 2025 Rugby World Cup will be offering an unparalleled opportunity for fans to see, engage with, and support the stars of the women’s game in towns and cities around England – and will see Salford host four games.
The four fantastic matches at the Salford Community Stadium are Australia v Samoa and Scotland v Wales on Saturday 23 August.
And Canada v Wales and Scotland v Fiji on Saturday 30 August 2025, with tickets and dates to the games being found here.
And the tournament itself will begin with England vs USA on August 22 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, hoping to become champions of the world for a third time.
More information about the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 can also be found on the QR code, which will provide information on how to get involved in rugby and support the Red Roses in their World Cup campaign this summer.
It will also tell people more about the community activity the RFU is running to celebrate the momentous opportunity of hosting the World Cup here on English soil.
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