We are only three weeks into the year and it is already delivering from a women’s sport perspective. The Australian Open is producing brilliant matches, with Emma Raducanu reaching the third round for the first time; Ilona Maher is drawing bigger audiences – both in the stands and on television – to Premiership Women’s Rugby; the Women’s Ashes has delivered a sell-out crowd in Sydney and a dramatic finish in Melbourne, albeit there is not such positive news for England on the pitch.

So, the portents are good for 2025 to be a memorable year, particularly when considering the events on the calendar, which include the European Championship in Switzerland, the Rugby World Cup in England and the Cricket World Cup in India. It has been described as “the summer of women’s sport”, but will England have a trophy to celebrate?

Telegraph Sport’s experts deliver their verdicts on the three major team tournaments this year…

European Championship, July 2-27

Verdict: No back-to-back title for Lionesses

The simple answer as to why England will not win the Euros is Spain. The world champions have the best team and, barring an injury to Aitana Bonmatí, should win this tournament. Football does not always work out that way, of course, and Spain are not without flaws. But do England have it in them to reach another final?

Other countries have improved significantly since Sarina Wiegman’s side were crowned European champions in 2022 and it feels as though they have struggled to reinvent themselves. Teams have got wise to how to stop England playing – mark Keira Walsh out of the game. We have rarely seen the 3-5-2 formation that gave England a new lease of life at the World Cup since that tournament and it is not clear what their Plan B is, other than to try to make Plan A better.

England also lack depth in key areas. Alessia Russo is the only recognised centre-forward. Alex Greenwood is the only naturally left-footed player across the defence and she faces a race to be fit after sustaining a knee injury at the end of last year. The back-up options to Lucy Bronze at right-back are centre-backs by trade.

At present, there are still too many question marks over England. Spain, meanwhile, have a settled team and formation. They may not have a world-class manager, but the last World Cup showed they could succeed without one. It is hard to see how England can stop them.

Key player: Lauren James

The forward needs an injury-free year but has the ability to be England’s best player if she can stay fit. James is a match-winner and there is nobody else like her in the England squad. No defender can handle her when she is at her best.

One to watch: Grace Clinton

The Manchester United midfielder has been around the England camp for a year now and has taken every opportunity on the international stage. She can establish herself as a regular for Wiegman if she proves she can be relied upon in the biggest moments.

Rugby World Cup, August 22-September 27

Verdict: Red Roses to triumph at sold-out Twickenham

England have stepped it up a level under head coach John Mitchell and, after two consecutive World Cup disappointments, have the golden opportunity to be crowned champions on home soil – and they will take it.

With the whole tournament broadcast across the BBC, the event is expected to break records and elevate the visibility of women’s rugby like never before and, should England reach the final, a potential sell-out at Twickenham awaits. This is the tournament where household names will be made and players’ careers will soar.

England’s recent dominance is practically unparalleled in most sports – they have sat comfortably at the top of the world rankings since 2020, have won 50 of their last 51 matches and have been the trendsetters in terms of ushering the women’s game towards professionalism. After going a second calendar year unbeaten in 2024, the gap between them and their closest rivals New Zealand, France and Canada remains as wide as ever.

They are also aesthetically pleasing to watch. With a dazzling back three of Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach, their free-flowing attack has flourished in the Mitchell era, while few can match the industriousness of forwards Alex Matthews and Zoe Aldcroft, the new captain.

A fifth consecutive Six Nations title this spring will act as a huge shop window for this summer’s showpiece as well as a springboard for the team. Their all-encompassing attack, which is complemented by their already robust set-piece game, will simply make them unstoppable.

Key player: Alex Matthews

The backbone of the England pack for the past few seasons, Matthews is a world-class operator in the loose and comes armed with a ferocious work-rate. She also brings a wealth of experience which will be invaluable once the squad are inside their World Cup bubble.

One to watch: Millie David

The increasing standard of the women’s game makes it hard for teenagers to make their mark, but Bristol Bears winger Millie David is bucking the trend. The 19-year-old is the top try-scorer in Premiership Women’s Rugby this season and pushing for a Test call-up.

Cricket World Cup, September-October (dates TBC)

Verdict: England to fall short – again

The path to winning a Cricket World Cup starts long before the first ball of the tournament is bowled. When England women lifted the trophy in front of a sold-out Lord’s in 2017, it was a result of the introduction of the first central contracts for female cricketers three years prior.

Yet they have not been able to reach those heady heights since, with Australia dominating the women’s cricket landscape. From 2013 onwards, Australia enjoyed an unbeaten decade in bilateral one-day international series until the 2023 Ashes. Their form in the current Ashes has shown they still have stronger squad depth than any other side.

England will go into the World Cup among the favourites, but it remains to be seen if the side can deal with pressure situations and deliver on the biggest stage. They have faltered at both the previous T20 World Cups and are struggling in this Ashes series, so that mental fragility could yet prove their undoing again.

India are likely to be formidable in home conditions, which other sides can struggle with, while Australia have a winning mentality that has established them as the team to beat over the past decade.

Key player: Nat Sciver-Brunt

For the past few years, England have turned to their senior players to deliver on the biggest stages and there is none more suited to the occasion than Sciver-Brunt. She will be crucial for England’s chances, especially with the bat.

One to watch: Freya Kemp

Kemp has sustained two back stress fractures since she burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old. In 2025, Kemp will have to be carefully managed, but she is a huge talent for England, with the left-armer a point of difference in the seam attack.