(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Spain Announces Squad for 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup with Laura Delgado as Captain
Spain’s head coach, Juan Marruecos, has unveiled the 32-player squad that will represent the Leonas at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The selection includes a mix of experienced players and exciting newcomers, with no major surprises in the lineup.
Harlequins prop Laura Delgado will lead the team as captain. Delgado, who has earned 50 caps and scored 5 tries, played in the 2017 World Cup and is excited to guide Spain in their return to the tournament after missing the previous edition.
Delgado shared her thoughts on this milestone:
“Playing in a World Cup is a rare and special honor. We have worked hard over the past eight years to get here, to represent our country with pride, and to set a high standard. We won’t let our fans down.”
This tournament marks the third World Cup for lock Lourdes Alameda, who has been a key player since 2014. Meanwhile, many players, including rising stars Claudia Peña Hidalgo, Ana Peralta, Zahia Pérez, Alba Capell, and Amalia Argudo, will be making their World Cup debut.
Delgado hopes the squad’s journey will inspire future generations:
“We want to show that with hard work and belief, there are no limits on what you can achieve, both on and off the pitch. We want more girls to join the Leonas family and feel proud to be part of this team.”
Spain’s squad features 19 forwards and 13 backs, with the world-ranked 13th team aiming to secure a historic win at rugby’s premier event.
Selected Forwards:
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Laura Delgado (Harlequins) – 50 caps / 5 tries
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Sidorella Bracic (CR El Salvador) – 27 caps
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Inés Antolínez (CR El Salvador) – 22 caps / 1 try
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Gemma Silva (Barça Rugbi) – 6 caps / 1 try
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Eider García (LOU) – 7 caps / 1 try
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Mireia de Andrés (Sant Cugat) – 9 caps
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Cristina Blanco (Ealing Trailfinders) – 31 caps / 9 tries
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Nuria Jou (UE Santboiana) – 12 caps / 3 tries
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Marieta Roman (SVM Cocos) – 23 caps / 3 tries
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Lourdes Alameda (AC Bobigny) – 41 caps
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Monica Castelo (Stade Rennais) – 26 caps / 2 tries
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Elena Martinez (Stade Bordelais) – 8 caps
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Anna Puig (UE Santobiana) – 35 caps / 11 tries
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Nerea Garcia (El Salvador) – 15 caps / 2 tries
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Alba Capell (Sale Sharks) – 29 caps / 5 tries
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Ana Peralta (SVM Cocos) – 8 caps / 1 try
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Lía Piñeiro (Olimpico Pozuelo) – 11 caps / 1 try
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Valentina Pérez (Les Abelles) – 7 caps / 3 tries
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Victoria Rosell (Cisneros) – 7 caps
Selected Backs:
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Anne Fernández de Corres (RFER) – 35 caps / 8 tries
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Bingbing Vergara (El Salvador) – 9 caps
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Maider Aresti (SVM Cocos) – 13 caps / 3 tries
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Amalia Argudo (Stade Toulousain) – 25 caps
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Alba Vinuesa (Stade Français) – 35 caps / 14 tries
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Zahia Pérez (Cisneros) – 30 caps / 12 tries
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Claudia Pérez (Majadahonda) – 18 caps / 6 tries
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Tecla Masoko (El Salvador) – 8 caps / 2 tries
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Clara Piquero (Lons Rugby) – 28 caps / 12 tries
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Ana Cortés Ekobo (Pozuelo) – 5 caps
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Claudia Cano (Cisneros) – 15 caps / 2 tries
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Lea Ducher (SVM Cocos) – 9 caps / 6 tries
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Claudia Peña Hidalgo (Harlequins) – 26 caps / 25 tries
Spain’s Leonas look forward to making an impact at the World Cup and continuing to grow women’s rugby in the country.
