Queensland Reds winger Caitlin Urwin is still coming to terms with the shock and excitement of winning selection in the Wallaroos squad for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The Gympie product is the only uncapped member of Australia’s 32-player squad and one of the six Queensland Reds selected.
She will join prop Eva Karpani, fullback Lori Cramer, halfback Layne Morgan, prop Bree-Anna Browne and utility back Charlotte Caslick on the plane to London.
Urwin, 25, said she felt relief today in being able to share her joy after having to keep her selection secret for several weeks.
“It’s been a bit tricky holding onto this news. I’d only told close family and friends and had to find a way to say to my workplace that I suddenly needed a few weeks off,” Urwin said.
“I mean making a debut for the Wallaroos at any time is special let alone for the chance to potentially come at a World Cup.
“It’s definitely very exciting because World Cups can be once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.”
The young hairdresser said the understanding at Togninis hair salon in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley had made it far easier.
“I’ve had such great support at work right from the start to have flexibility to pursue my rugby. I think the tools will be put away for a few weeks although the girls are always hinting that I need to get the scissors out for them,” Urwin said with a laugh.
Her try-scoring hitout for Australia A against Samoa in Canberra in late June was the final persuasive performance to lock up one of the four wing spots for the tournament.
Urwin played every minute of the Reds’ six-game run to the grand final of the Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season to build her case.
Her speed and reliable finishing were backed up by a zealous low-tackling defensive edge which shut down several tries.
“Our rise to second and seeing the growth in the Reds women’s program this season has been a huge result,” Urwin said.
“The long pre-season meant we had a core group who were fit and ready. Personally, it meant I could get the most out of the minutes I played.”
Urwin should be a poster girl for what’s possible as a late starter in the game. She had a touch background but didn’t play rugby until Year 12 at St Patrick’s College in her home town before strides with the Gympie Hammers.
“I always really loved touch but always got frustrated that a defender could just nick the back of your singlet to stop you,” Urwin said.
“I gave away a few penalties being too aggressive at touch so the move to rugby really worked for me. That and tackling my brother in hallway games growing up.”
Urwin and Caslick will be among the 15 players set to feature at a Rugby World Cup for the first time. Sevens star Caslick (ankle) still has recovery time ahead of her but is confident of overcoming her injury.
The Wallaroos will play Samoa on August 23, followed by an all-important clash against USA on August 31 (AEST) and tournament hosts England on September 6.
The Wallaroos will depart for London on August 11 and be based in Manchester ahead of their first pool match against Samoa on August 23 (9:00pm AEST).
The Rugby World Cup is set to be the biggest-ever women’s rugby event with over 300,000 tickets sold for the tournament.
Watch the Wallaroos at the 2025 Rugby World Cup live, ad-free and on-demand on Stan Sport.
WALLAROOS 2025 WORLD CUP SQUAD
(Name, age, club, junior club, caps)
Katalina Amosa (23, ACT Brumbies, Southern Districts, 6 caps)*
Bree-Anna Browne (28, Queensland Reds, Brothers Rugby, 13 caps)
Charlotte Caslick (30, Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs, 5 caps)*
Emily Chancellor (33, NSW Waratahs, Sydney University, 30 caps)
Annabelle Codey (28, NSW Waratahs, Easts Brisbane, 7 caps)*
Lori Cramer (32, Queensland Reds, University of Queensland, 30 caps)
Piper Duck (24, NSW Waratahs, Tumut Bullettes, 18 caps)
Waiaria Ellis (17, NSW Waratahs, Blacktown Scorpions, 3 caps)*
Ashley Fernandez (22, ACT Brumbies, Uni-North Owls, 4 caps)*
Georgina Friedrichs (30, NSW Waratahs, Wests Bulldogs, 34 caps)
Caitlyn Halse (18, NSW Waratahs, Camden Rams, 11 caps)*
Tia Hinds (22, ACT Brumbies, Randwick, 6 caps)*
Brianna Hoy (25, NSW Waratahs, Coffs Harbour Snappers, 8 caps)*
Asoiva Karpani (29, Queensland Reds, Southern Suburbs, 37 caps)
Lydia Kavoa (31, ACT Brumbies, Eastern Suburbs, 9 caps)*
Kaitlan Leaney (24, NSW Waratahs, SCU Marlins, 31 caps)
Michaela Leonard (30, Western Force, Tuggeranong Vikings, 38 caps)
Ashley Marsters (31, Western Force, Boroondara, 41 caps)
Desiree Miller (23, NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs, 19 caps)*
Faitala Moleka (20, ACT Brumbies, Blacktown Scorpions, 21 caps)*
Layne Morgan (26, Queensland Reds, Merewether Carlton, 36 caps)
Tania Naden (33, ACT Brumbies, Uni-North Owls, 25 caps)
Bridie O’Gorman (26, NSW Waratahs, Sydney University, 33 caps)
Siokapesi Palu (28, ACT Brumbies, Uni-North Owls, 21 caps)
Faliki Pohiva (23, NSW Waratahs, Blacktown Scorpions, 4 caps)*
Trilleen Pomare (32, Western Force, Wanneroo, 40 caps)
Cecilia Smith (31, Western Force, Leeton Dianas, 24 caps)
Maya Stewart (25, NSW Waratahs, Nelson Bay Gropers, 18 caps)
Adiana Talakai (26, NSW Waratahs, Sydney University, 18 caps)
Tabua Tuinakauvadra (22, ACT Brumbies, Orange Emus, 18 caps)*
Caitlin Urwin (25, Queensland Reds, Gympie Hammers, uncapped)**
Samantha Wood (21, Western Force, Kalamunda Rugby, 7 caps)*
*denotes World Cup debutant
**denotes uncapped and World Cup debutant
Players unavailable for selection
Sally Fuesaina (calf)
Atasi Lafai (knee)
Leilani Nathan (knee)
Bienne Terita (hamstring)
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
Saturday, August 23: Wallaroos v Samoa, Salford Community Stadium, Manchester - 9:00pm AEST
Sunday, August 31: Wallaroos v USA at York Community Stadium, York - 4:30am AEST
Sunday, September 7: Wallaroos v England at Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove - 2:00am AEST
