William and Kate are watching matches at the Rugby World Cup today(Image: The RFU Collection via Getty Ima)

Prince William and Kate will be cheering on home nations teams in the Women’s Rugby World Cup group matches today.

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The royal couple are both keen sports fans and the Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, watched the clash between Wales and Fiji at the Sandy Park stadium in Exeter. While Kate, patron of the Rugby Football Union, is attending the match between England and Australia at Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium.

If top seeds England win Pool A they would face a quarter-final against the runners-up from Pool B, who were expected to be either Scotland or Wales going into the competition – but the latter have had a dismal World Cup. Wales were defeated 28-25 by Fiji as they crashed out of the World Cup after failing to win a single game.

Kate Middleton watched the England women’s team in their match against Australia(Image: Getty Images)

The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she was photographed at the England game in Brighton in the stands with Jonathan Webb, Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of World Rugby. Dressed in a smart black trouser suit with a white ruffled blouse, Kate was seen cheering and clapping as the game got underway.

England Women won their match against Australia 47-7. The princess posed for a group photo and shook hands with players in a post on the couple’s Instagram account, which was captioned: “Well done @redrosesrugby! A great result against Australia and on to the Quarter Finals.”

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Kate Middleton was all smiles as she attended the England women’s rugby game(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

England had already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages thanks to crushing wins over the USA and Samoa, while the Wallaroos only needed to avoid an improbable defeat of 76 points or more to join them. Australia progress as group runners-up – ahead of the United States on points difference – and will face Canada in the last eight.

Kate celebrated with the England women’s team after their win against Australia(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Pala)

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Sadia Kabeya and Kelsey Clifford claimed two tries apiece as England set up a World Cup quarter-final with Scotland by securing top spot in Pool A. Jess Breach, Abbie Ward and Sarah Bern also crossed in Brighton to help the Red Roses come from behind and equal their own world record of 30 consecutive Test victories.

Australia briefly threatened an upset at the Amex Stadium following an early score from hooker Adiana Talakai before John Mitchell’s side restored order to underline their status as pre-tournament favourites.

Prince William was pictured hugging a Welsh player following their defeat to Fiji(Image: Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Pala)

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Meanwhile William was pictured hugging a member of the Welsh team after their defeat to Fiji. Pictures were shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Instagram showing William meeting players, shaking hands and hugging one.

The online post was captioned: “Commiserations to @welshrugbyunion. You fought hard and made the nation proud.” Wales co-captain Alex Callender apologised to fans after a 28-25 defeat by Fiji meant her team failed to win a single game at the World Cup.

William, as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, watched Wales face Fiji(Image: Getty Images)

Wales co-captain Alex Callender apologised to fans after a 28-25 defeat by Fiji meant her team failed to win a single game at the World Cup. “We’re in a real tough place but I believe in Sean Lynn, I believe in the team that we’ve got and I believe in our staff. We can turn this around,” number eight Callender said. “Those three games didn’t showcase what we are all about. I’m gutted. I want to apologise to the fans. Thank you so much for sticking with us and believing in us.”

Kate Williams, Callender’s co-captain, admitted that Wales’ sorry World Cup performance “hurts”. She said: “It is a tough loss to take. We are in a tough place at the minute, but I don’t doubt the amount of belief and the amount of heart that this team can give. We just need to take our opportunities because we are making them, but it hurts.”