Women's Rugby World Cup
Encyclopedia
The Women's Rugby World Cup is the premier international competition in rugby union
for women. The tournament is organised by the sport's governing body the International Rugby Board
(IRB). The championships are currently held every four years the event was most recently held in England in 2010.
The first
Women's Rugby World Cup was held in 1991, and won by the United States
, though it and the subsequent 1994 competition were not officially sanctioned by the IRB. It was not until the 1998 tournament held in the Netherlands
that the tournament received official IRB backing. The current world champions, and the most successful team, are New Zealand
.
The next event will be held in France in 2014
. Though not considered a world cup, the tournament was referred to as the World Rugby Festival for Women
. The competition included teams representing the United States
, the Netherlands
, Russia
, and the hosts, New Zealand
– who emerged as winners after defeating the United States in the final.
The first tournament referred to as the Women's Rugby World Cup was held in 1991 and hosted by Wales
. Twelve countries were divided into four groups of three. The United States, against expectations, took the first championship with a 19–6 victory over England
. In the Plate competition Canada
prevailed over Spain
18–4. Following the first tournament it was decided to move the tournament schedule to the year prior to the next men's world cup therefore reducing the quadrennial cycle to just three years.
The next event was originally scheduled to take place in Amsterdam
but ended up being moved to Scotland
. Eleven countries competed in the tournament with the English meeting the United States in the final for the second time however, in this instance England emerged as winners.
The 1998 tournament became the first women's world cup officially sanctioned by the International Rugby Board
. Amsterdam
, who were originally scheduled to host the previous world cup, hosted the largest ever tournament with all matches played at the new National Rugby Centre in the city’s west end. The tournament also saw a record sixteen teams compete. New Zealand, who withdrew from the previous tournament, also competed. The final saw New Zealand defeat the United States and claim their first world cup title.
The next event was taken to Spain
in 2002, where New Zealand, won the title for the second time. The 2006 world cup took place in Edmonton
, Canada
, and was the first major international rugby union tournament and women's world cup held in North America. New Zealand defeated England in the final to win their third successive world cup title.
In 2008 a record four countries expressed interest in hosting the 2010 world cup. After considering bids from the Rugby Football Union
, the German Rugby Federation, the Kazakhstan Rugby Union
and South African Rugby Union
the IRB announced that the 2010 event would take place in England. The Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) then announced that the tournament was to be staged in west London, with the final to be played at the Twickenham Stoop.
On July 29, 2010, Sky Sports confirmed that they would be broadcasting 13 live matches from the 2010 event, including the semi-finals, the third and fourth place play-off match and the final. The pool matches shown would include all of England's matches while each of the home nations' would feature live too. There would also be highlights shown from all other matches during the pool stages.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
for women. The tournament is organised by the sport's governing body the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
(IRB). The championships are currently held every four years the event was most recently held in England in 2010.
The first
1991 Women's Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on...
Women's Rugby World Cup was held in 1991, and won by the United States
United States women's national rugby union team
The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished...
, though it and the subsequent 1994 competition were not officially sanctioned by the IRB. It was not until the 1998 tournament held in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
that the tournament received official IRB backing. The current world champions, and the most successful team, are New Zealand
Black Ferns
The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
.
The next event will be held in France in 2014
History
Prior to the first Women's Rugby World Cup officially sanctioned by the International Rugby Board there had been three previous tournaments of a similar nature. The first of these was an event held in August 1990 in New ZealandRugby union in New Zealand
Rugby union is the unofficial national sport of New Zealand. Rugby, as it is generally referred to by New Zealanders, is an integral part of New Zealand culture. The national team, the All Blacks, rank as the top international team in the world. The sport was known in New Zealand from 1870, and the...
. Though not considered a world cup, the tournament was referred to as the World Rugby Festival for Women
RugbyFest 1990
RugbyFest 1990 was a two-week festival of women's rugby, held in Christchurch, New Zealand between 19 August and 1 September 1990. The event has been inflated sometimes to the status of a mini-world cup. In reality with only four teams taking part, and lacking major nations such as France, England...
. The competition included teams representing the United States
United States women's national rugby union team
The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national rugby union team
The Netherlands women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Netherlands, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-Results summary:-Results:...
, Russia
Russia women's national rugby union team
The Russia women's national rugby union team are the national women's rugby union team of Russia. The side first played as "Russia" in 1994, but its predecessor, the Soviet Union women's national rugby union team played six matches between 1990 and 1991....
, and the hosts, New Zealand
Black Ferns
The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
– who emerged as winners after defeating the United States in the final.
The first tournament referred to as the Women's Rugby World Cup was held in 1991 and hosted by Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Twelve countries were divided into four groups of three. The United States, against expectations, took the first championship with a 19–6 victory over England
England women's national rugby union team
The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s...
. In the Plate competition Canada
Canada women's national rugby union team
The Canadian national rugby union team represent Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black.-Team Roster:Squad to 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup .-Results summary:...
prevailed over Spain
Spain women's national rugby union team
The Spain women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at rugby union.They played their first match on 2 May 1989, against France, losing 0-28...
18–4. Following the first tournament it was decided to move the tournament schedule to the year prior to the next men's world cup therefore reducing the quadrennial cycle to just three years.
The next event was originally scheduled to take place in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
but ended up being moved to Scotland
Scotland women's national rugby union team
The Scotland national women's rugby union team are the national women's rugby union team of Scotland. The Scots have competed in three of the Women's Rugby World Cups and have an important role in the rugby world stage....
. Eleven countries competed in the tournament with the English meeting the United States in the final for the second time however, in this instance England emerged as winners.
The 1998 tournament became the first women's world cup officially sanctioned by the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
. Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, who were originally scheduled to host the previous world cup, hosted the largest ever tournament with all matches played at the new National Rugby Centre in the city’s west end. The tournament also saw a record sixteen teams compete. New Zealand, who withdrew from the previous tournament, also competed. The final saw New Zealand defeat the United States and claim their first world cup title.
The next event was taken to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 2002, where New Zealand, won the title for the second time. The 2006 world cup took place in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and was the first major international rugby union tournament and women's world cup held in North America. New Zealand defeated England in the final to win their third successive world cup title.
In 2008 a record four countries expressed interest in hosting the 2010 world cup. After considering bids from the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
, the German Rugby Federation, the Kazakhstan Rugby Union
Kazakhstan Rugby Union
The Kazakhstan Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Kazakhstan. It is a member of the International Rugby Board.The Union organises the Kazakhstan national rugby union team, known as the Nomads.-External links:* * *...
and South African Rugby Union
South African Rugby Union
The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...
the IRB announced that the 2010 event would take place in England. The Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) then announced that the tournament was to be staged in west London, with the final to be played at the Twickenham Stoop.
Tournaments
| Year | Host | Final | Third place match | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Score | Runner-up | 3rd place | Score | 4th place | ||||
| 1991 Details 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on... |
 Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
 United States United States women's national rugby union team The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished... |
19 – 6 |  England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
 France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
Shared third |
 New Zealand Black Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
||
| 1994 Details 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second world cup for women. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Amsterdam, Netherlands but was cancelled only weeks before... |
 Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
38 – 23 | United States United States women's national rugby union team The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished... |
France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
27 – 0 |  Wales Wales women's national rugby union team The Wales women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Wales, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1987.-History:... |
||
| 1998 Details 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a... |
 Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
New Zealand Black Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
44 – 12 | United States United States women's national rugby union team The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished... |
England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
31 – 15 |  Canada Canada women's national rugby union team The Canadian national rugby union team represent Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black.-Team Roster:Squad to 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup .-Results summary:... |
||
| 2002 Details 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain... |
 Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
New Zealand Black Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
19 – 9 | England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
41 – 7 | Canada Canada women's national rugby union team The Canadian national rugby union team represent Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black.-Team Roster:Squad to 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup .-Results summary:... |
||
| 2006 Details 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002 in Spain and in the Netherlands, in 1998... |
 Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
New Zealand Black Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
25 – 17 | England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
17 – 8 | Canada Canada women's national rugby union team The Canadian national rugby union team represent Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black.-Team Roster:Squad to 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup .-Results summary:... |
||
| 2010 Details 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was the sixth edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup and was being held in England. The International Rugby Board Executive Committee selected the host union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited board after considering bids from the Rugby... |
 England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
New Zealand Black Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
13 – 10 | England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
 Australia Australia women's national rugby union team The Australia national women's rugby union team, also known as the Wallaroos, are the national women's rugby union team of Australia. The Wallaroos have competed at three Women's Rugby World Cups in the past; in 1998, 2002, 2006 and the current 2010 event.Australian women have been playing rugby... |
22 – 8 | France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
||
| 2014 Details 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup will be the seventh edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and the sixth to be held in Europe.-Bidding process:... |
 France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
||||||||
Performance of nations
| Team | Champion | Runner-up | Third | Fourth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 New ZealandBlack Ferns The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols... |
4 (1998 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a... , 2002 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain... , 2006 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002 in Spain and in the Netherlands, in 1998... , 2010 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was the sixth edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup and was being held in England. The International Rugby Board Executive Committee selected the host union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited board after considering bids from the Rugby... ) |
– | 1 (1991 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on... ) |
|
| England England women's national rugby union team The England women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of England, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:Women’s Rugby was first played seriously in Great Britain in the late 1970s... |
1 (1994 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second world cup for women. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Amsterdam, Netherlands but was cancelled only weeks before... ) |
4 (1991 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on... , 2002 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain... , 2006 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002 in Spain and in the Netherlands, in 1998... , 2010 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was the sixth edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup and was being held in England. The International Rugby Board Executive Committee selected the host union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited board after considering bids from the Rugby... ) |
1 (1998 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a... ) |
– |
 United StatesUnited States women's national rugby union team The United States women's national rugby union team represents the United States in women's rugby union. Officially formed in 1987, the Women's National Team has been an international powerhouse since its inception. The Eagles won the first official Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, and finished... |
1 (1991 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on... ) |
2 (1994 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second world cup for women. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Amsterdam, Netherlands but was cancelled only weeks before... , 1998 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a... ) |
– | – |
| France France women's national rugby union team The France women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of France, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1982.-History:... |
– | – | 4 (1991 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board , yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body—France only confirmed their participation minutes before the draw was made on... , 1994 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second world cup for women. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Amsterdam, Netherlands but was cancelled only weeks before... , 2002 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain... , 2006 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002 in Spain and in the Netherlands, in 1998... ) |
1 (2010 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was the sixth edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup and was being held in England. The International Rugby Board Executive Committee selected the host union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited board after considering bids from the Rugby... ) |
 AustraliaAustralia women's national rugby union team The Australia national women's rugby union team, also known as the Wallaroos, are the national women's rugby union team of Australia. The Wallaroos have competed at three Women's Rugby World Cups in the past; in 1998, 2002, 2006 and the current 2010 event.Australian women have been playing rugby... |
– | – | 1 (2010 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was the sixth edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup and was being held in England. The International Rugby Board Executive Committee selected the host union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited board after considering bids from the Rugby... ) |
– |
| Canada Canada women's national rugby union team The Canadian national rugby union team represent Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black.-Team Roster:Squad to 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup .-Results summary:... |
– | – | – | 3 (1998 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1998 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first world cup fully sanctioned by the International Rugby Board and the third world cup in history. The tournament took place in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands and was the first women's world cup held outside of the United Kingdom.The tournament saw a... , 2002 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second World Cup fully sanctioned by the sports governing body the International Rugby Board . The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain... , 2006 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The tournament began on 31 August and ended on 17 September 2006. The 2006 tournament was the third World Cup approved by the IRB, the previous two being held 2002 in Spain and in the Netherlands, in 1998... ) |
| Wales Wales women's national rugby union team The Wales women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Wales, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1987.-History:... |
– | – | – | 1 (1994 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup The 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup was the second world cup for women. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Amsterdam, Netherlands but was cancelled only weeks before... ) |
Format
The format for the 2006 tournament split the 12 participating nations into four pools of three teams. Each nation played three games, after the completion of which a re-seeding process took place. Nations were moved into divisions dictated by their respective overall tournament ranking with the top teams proceeding to the knockout stages. The 2010 event maintained the number of teams participating at twelve, with regional qualifying tournaments. In previous tournaments teams were selected by the IRB based on international performances as opposed to qualification via regional tournaments.Media coverage
The tournament has grown considerably in the past fifteen years although television audiences and event attendance still remain relatively low, especially in comparison to other women's world cup events. The final of the 2006 event in Canada was broadcast in a number of countries and streamed live via the internet.On July 29, 2010, Sky Sports confirmed that they would be broadcasting 13 live matches from the 2010 event, including the semi-finals, the third and fourth place play-off match and the final. The pool matches shown would include all of England's matches while each of the home nations' would feature live too. There would also be highlights shown from all other matches during the pool stages.
External links
- The official WRWC website
- Women's Rugby World Cup from therugbyworldcup.co.uk
- Results for the previous tournaments at rugbyfootballhistory.com