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Women's Rugby World Cup

Updated: Wikipedia source

Women's Rugby World Cup

The Women's Rugby World Cup is the women's rugby union world championship which is organised by World Rugby. The first Rugby World Cup for women was held in 1991, but it was not until the 1998 tournament that the tournament received official backing from the International Rugby Board (IRB, now World Rugby); by 2009, the IRB had retroactively recognized the 1991 and 1994 tournaments and their champions. Normally, the tournament is held every four years; it was moved forward in 2017 so that the competition could be held in the year before the Commonwealth Games. The 2021 tournament was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still marketed as the 2021 tournament. Three countries have won the Women's Rugby World Cup since its establishment, with New Zealand having won the tournament a record six times.

Infobox

Sport
Women's rugby union
Instituted
6 April 1991; 34 years ago (1991-04-06)
Number of teams
12; 1991 — 1994 & 2006 — 2021 16; 1998 — 2002 & 2025
Regions
Worldwide (World Rugby)
Holders
England (3rd title)
Most titles
New Zealand (6 titles)
Website
rugbyworldcup.com

Tables

· Results and records › Tournaments
Champion
Champion
Ed.
Champion
Year
Score
Host
Runner-up
First place game
Third
First place game
Score
First place game
Fourth
1
1
Ed.
1
Year
1991
Host
Wales
First place game
United States
First place game
19–6Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
First place game
England
Third place game
France
Third place game
Shared
Third place game
New Zealand
Num.teams
12
2
2
Ed.
2
Year
1994
Host
Scotland
First place game
England
First place game
38–23Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
First place game
United States
Third place game
France
Third place game
27–0Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
Third place game
Wales
Num.teams
12
3
3
Ed.
3
Year
1998
Host
Netherlands
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
44–12NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
First place game
United States
Third place game
England
Third place game
31–15NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Third place game
Canada
Num.teams
16
4
4
Ed.
4
Year
2002
Host
Spain
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
19–9Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
First place game
England
Third place game
France
Third place game
41–7Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Third place game
Canada
Num.teams
16
5
5
Ed.
5
Year
2006
Host
Canada
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
25–17Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
First place game
England
Third place game
France
Third place game
17–8Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Third place game
Canada
Num.teams
12
6
6
Ed.
6
Year
2010
Host
England
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
13–10Twickenham Stoop, London
First place game
England
Third place game
Australia
Third place game
22–8Twickenham Stoop, London
Third place game
France
Num.teams
12
7
7
Ed.
7
Year
2014
Host
France
First place game
England
First place game
21–9Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
First place game
Canada
Third place game
France
Third place game
25–18Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Third place game
Ireland
Num.teams
12
8
8
Ed.
8
Year
2017
Host
Ireland
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
41–32Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
First place game
England
Third place game
France
Third place game
31–23Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
Third place game
United States
Num.teams
12
9
9
Ed.
9
Year
2021
Host
New Zealand
First place game
New Zealand
First place game
34–31Eden Park, Auckland
First place game
England
Third place game
France
Third place game
36–0Eden Park, Auckland
Third place game
Canada
Num.teams
12
10
10
Ed.
10
Year
2025
Host
England
First place game
England
First place game
33–13Twickenham Stadium, London
First place game
Canada
Third place game
New Zealand
Third place game
42–26Twickenham Stadium, London
Third place game
France
Num.teams
16
11
11
Ed.
11
Year
2029
Host
Australia
First place game
To be determined
First place game
To be determined
First place game
16
12
12
Ed.
12
Year
2033
Host
United States
First place game
To be determined
First place game
To be determined
First place game
16
Ed.
Year
Host
First place game
Third place game
Num.teams
Champion
Score
Runner-up
Third
Score
Fourth
1
1991
Wales
United States
19–6Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
England
France
Shared
New Zealand
12
2
1994
Scotland
England
38–23Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
United States
France
27–0Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
Wales
12
3
1998
Netherlands
New Zealand
44–12NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
United States
England
31–15NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Canada
16
4
2002
Spain
New Zealand
19–9Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
England
France
41–7Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Canada
16
5
2006
Canada
New Zealand
25–17Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
England
France
17–8Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Canada
12
6
2010
England
New Zealand
13–10Twickenham Stoop, London
England
Australia
22–8Twickenham Stoop, London
France
12
7
2014
France
England
21–9Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Canada
France
25–18Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Ireland
12
8
2017
Ireland
New Zealand
41–32Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
England
France
31–23Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
United States
12
9
2021
New Zealand
New Zealand
34–31Eden Park, Auckland
England
France
36–0Eden Park, Auckland
Canada
12
10
2025
England
England
33–13Twickenham Stadium, London
Canada
New Zealand
42–26Twickenham Stadium, London
France
16
11
2029
Australia
To be determined
To be determined
16
12
2033
United States
To be determined
To be determined
16
· Results and records › Team records
New Zealand
New Zealand
Team
New Zealand
Champions
6 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021)
Third place
2 (1991, 2025)
Total top 4
8
England
England
Team
England
Champions
3 (1994, 2014, 2025)
Runners-up
6 (1991, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021)
Third place
1 (1998)
Total top 4
10
United States
United States
Team
United States
Champions
1 (1991)
Runners-up
2 (1994, 1998)
Fourth place
1 (2017)
Total top 4
4
Canada
Canada
Team
Canada
Runners-up
2 (2014, 2025)
Fourth place
4 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2021)
Total top 4
6
France
France
Team
France
Third place
7 (1991, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2021)
Fourth place
2 (2010, 2025)
Total top 4
9
Australia
Australia
Team
Australia
Third place
1 (2010)
Total top 4
1
Wales
Wales
Team
Wales
Fourth place
1 (1994)
Total top 4
1
Ireland
Ireland
Team
Ireland
Fourth place
1 (2014)
Total top 4
1
Team
Champions
Runners-up
Third place
Fourth place
Total top 4
New Zealand
6 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021)
2 (1991, 2025)
8
England
3 (1994, 2014, 2025)
6 (1991, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021)
1 (1998)
10
United States
1 (1991)
2 (1994, 1998)
1 (2017)
4
Canada
2 (2014, 2025)
4 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2021)
6
France
7 (1991, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2021)
2 (2010, 2025)
9
Australia
1 (2010)
1
Wales
1 (1994)
1
Ireland
1 (2014)
1
· Results and records › Participating nations
Australia
Australia
Team
Australia
1991
–
1994
–
1998
5th
2002
7th
2006
7th
2010
3rd
2014
7th
2017
6th
2021
6th
2025
8th
2029
Q
Brazil
Brazil
Team
Brazil
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
e
2025
15th
Canada
Canada
Team
Canada
1991
5th
1994
6th
1998
4th
2002
4th
2006
4th
2010
6th
2014
2nd
2017
5th
2021
4th
2025
2nd
2029
Q
England
England
Team
England
1991
2nd
1994
1st
1998
3rd
2002
2nd
2006
2nd
2010
2nd
2014
1st
2017
2nd
2021
2nd
2025
1st
2029
Q
Fiji
Fiji
Team
Fiji
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
w
2014
–
2017
e
2021
9th
2025
12th
France
France
Team
France
1991
3rd
1994
3rd
1998
8th
2002
3rd
2006
3rd
2010
4th
2014
3rd
2017
3rd
2021
3rd
2025
4th
2029
Q
Germany
Germany
Team
Germany
1991
–
1994
w
1998
14th
2002
16th
2006
–
2010
e
2014
–
2017
–
2021
–
2025
–
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Team
Hong Kong
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
e
2006
e
2010
e
2014
e
2017
12th
2021
w
2025
e
Ireland
Ireland
Team
Ireland
1991
–
1994
7th
1998
10th
2002
14th
2006
8th
2010
7th
2014
4th
2017
8th
2021
e
2025
5th
Italy
Italy
Team
Italy
1991
8th
1994
w
1998
12th
2002
12th
2006
–
2010
e
2014
e
2017
9th
2021
5th
2025
10th
Japan
Japan
Team
Japan
1991
11th
1994
8th
1998
–
2002
13th
2006
e
2010
e
2014
e
2017
11th
2021
12th
2025
11th
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Team
Kazakhstan
1991
–
1994
9th
1998
9th
2002
11th
2006
11th
2010
11th
2014
12th
2017
–
2021
e
2025
e
Netherlands
Netherlands
Team
Netherlands
1991
7th
1994
w
1998
13th
2002
15th
2006
–
2010
e
2014
e
2017
e
2021
e
2025
e
New Zealand
New Zealand
Team
New Zealand
1991
3rd
1994
w
1998
1st
2002
1st
2006
1st
2010
1st
2014
5th
2017
1st
2021
1st
2025
3rd
2029
Q
Russia
Russia
Team
Russia
1991
11th
1994
11th
1998
16th
2002
–
2006
–
2010
e
2014
e
2017
e
2021
e
2025
–
Samoa
Samoa
Team
Samoa
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
9th
2006
10th
2010
e
2014
11th
2017
–
2021
w
2025
16th
Scotland
Scotland
Team
Scotland
1991
–
1994
5th
1998
6th
2002
6th
2006
6th
2010
8th
2014
e
2017
e
2021
10th
2025
7th
South Africa
South Africa
Team
South Africa
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
12th
2010
10th
2014
10th
2017
–
2021
11th
2025
6th
Spain
Spain
Team
Spain
1991
6th
1994
w
1998
7th
2002
8th
2006
9th
2010
e
2014
9th
2017
10th
2021
e
2025
14th
Sweden
Sweden
Team
Sweden
1991
10th
1994
10th
1998
15th
2002
–
2006
–
2010
12th
2014
e
2017
–
2021
–
2025
–
United States
United States
Team
United States
1991
1st
1994
2nd
1998
2nd
2002
5th
2006
5th
2010
5th
2014
6th
2017
4th
2021
7th
2025
9th
2033
Q
Wales
Wales
Team
Wales
1991
9th
1994
4th
1998
11th
2002
10th
2006
–
2010
9th
2014
8th
2017
7th
2021
8th
2025
13th
Team
1991
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2017
2021
2025
2029
2033
Australia
–
–
5th
7th
7th
3rd
7th
6th
6th
8th
Q
Brazil
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
15th
Canada
5th
6th
4th
4th
4th
6th
2nd
5th
4th
2nd
Q
England
2nd
1st
3rd
2nd
2nd
2nd
1st
2nd
2nd
1st
Q
Fiji
–
–
–
–
–
w
–
e
9th
12th
France
3rd
3rd
8th
3rd
3rd
4th
3rd
3rd
3rd
4th
Q
Germany
–
w
14th
16th
–
e
–
–
–
–
Hong Kong
–
–
–
e
e
e
e
12th
w
e
Ireland
–
7th
10th
14th
8th
7th
4th
8th
e
5th
Italy
8th
w
12th
12th
–
e
e
9th
5th
10th
Japan
11th
8th
–
13th
e
e
e
11th
12th
11th
Kazakhstan
–
9th
9th
11th
11th
11th
12th
–
e
e
Netherlands
7th
w
13th
15th
–
e
e
e
e
e
New Zealand
3rd
w
1st
1st
1st
1st
5th
1st
1st
3rd
Q
Russia
11th
11th
16th
–
–
e
e
e
e
–
Samoa
–
–
–
9th
10th
e
11th
–
w
16th
Scotland
–
5th
6th
6th
6th
8th
e
e
10th
7th
South Africa
–
–
–
–
12th
10th
10th
–
11th
6th
Spain
6th
w
7th
8th
9th
e
9th
10th
e
14th
Sweden
10th
10th
15th
–
–
12th
e
–
–
–
United States
1st
2nd
2nd
5th
5th
5th
6th
4th
7th
9th
Q
Wales
9th
4th
11th
10th
–
9th
8th
7th
8th
13th
· Results and records › Participating nations
Belgium
Belgium
Team
Belgium
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
e
2014
–
2017
e
2021
–
2025
–
China
China
Team
China
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
e
2025
–
Cameroon
Cameroon
Team
Cameroon
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
–
2025
e
Colombia
Colombia
Team
Colombia
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
e
2025
e
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Team
Czech Republic
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
e
2021
–
2025
–
Finland
Finland
Team
Finland
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
–
2025
–
India
India
Team
India
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
e
2025
–
Kenya
Kenya
Team
Kenya
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
e
2025
e
Laos
Laos
Team
Laos
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
–
2025
–
Madagascar
Madagascar
Team
Madagascar
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
e
2025
e
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Team
Papua New Guinea
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
w
2014
–
2017
e
2021
e
2025
e
Philippines
Philippines
Team
Philippines
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
e
2025
–
Singapore
Singapore
Team
Singapore
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
e
2014
e
2017
–
2021
e
2025
–
Switzerland
Switzerland
Team
Switzerland
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
e
2021
–
2025
–
Thailand
Thailand
Team
Thailand
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
e
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
–
2025
–
Tonga
Tonga
Team
Tonga
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
–
2017
–
2021
w
2025
e
Uganda
Uganda
Team
Uganda
1991
–
1994
–
1998
–
2002
–
2006
–
2010
–
2014
e
2017
–
2021
e
2025
–
Team
1991
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2017
2021
2025
2029
2033
Belgium
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
e
–
–
China
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
Cameroon
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
Colombia
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
e
Czech Republic
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
–
Finland
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
–
–
India
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
Kenya
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
e
e
Laos
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
–
–
Madagascar
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
e
Papua New Guinea
–
–
–
–
–
w
–
e
e
e
Philippines
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
e
–
Singapore
–
–
–
–
–
e
e
–
e
–
Switzerland
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
–
Thailand
–
–
–
–
e
–
e
–
–
–
Tonga
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
w
e
Uganda
–
–
–
–
–
–
e
–
e
–
· Debut of national teams
1991
1991
Year
1991
Nation(s)
Canada England France Italy Japan Netherlands New Zealand Russia Spain Sweden United States Wales
Total
12
1994
1994
Year
1994
Nation(s)
Ireland Kazakhstan  Scotland
Total
3
1998
1998
Year
1998
Nation(s)
Australia Germany
Total
2
2002
2002
Year
2002
Nation(s)
Samoa
Total
1
2006
2006
Year
2006
Nation(s)
South Africa
Total
1
2010
2010
Year
2010
Nation(s)
(none)
Total
0
2014
2014
Year
2014
Nation(s)
(none)
Total
0
2017
2017
Year
2017
Nation(s)
Hong Kong
Total
1
2021
2021
Year
2021
Nation(s)
Fiji
Total
1
2025
2025
Year
2025
Nation(s)
Brazil
Total
1
2029
2029
Year
2029
Nation(s)
TBC
Total
TBC
Year
Nation(s)
Total
1991
Canada England France Italy Japan Netherlands New Zealand Russia Spain Sweden United States Wales
12
1994
Ireland Kazakhstan Scotland
3
1998
Australia Germany
2
2002
Samoa
1
2006
South Africa
1
2010
(none)
0
2014
(none)
0
2017
Hong Kong
1
2021
Fiji
1
2025
Brazil
1
2029
TBC
TBC

References

  1. as Soviet Union
  2. replaced by Scottish Students
  3. As the Soviet Union
  4. "IRB press release"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230504/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid%3D2033145.html
  5. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/1960497.stm
  6. "1994 Women's Rugby World Cup – results"
    http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/clubs/womens_rugby/RugbyRoot/rugby/games/Results/94WWC.html
  7. "Rugby Femenino (Women's Rugby)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091219110828/http://rugby.iespana.es/h3.htm
  8. "New Zealand retain crown"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080723112527/http://www.rwcwomens.com/EN/News/match_30.htm
  9. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/nov/12/rugbyunion1
  10. "History of the Women's Rugby World Cup"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081212094016/http://users.ox.ac.uk/~ouwrugby/AhistoryoftheWomensRugbyWorldCup.shtml
  11. "Ireland to host 2017 Women's World Cup"
    https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/0513/700843-womens-rugby/
  12. "2017 Womens Rugby World Cup to be held in Ireland"
    https://myguideireland.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/2017-womens-rugby-world-cup-to-be-held-in-ireland/
  13. Inside the Games
    https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1024073/bidding-process-opened-for-2017-women-s-rugby-world-cup
  14. SportsPro
    https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/world-rugby-drops-gender-titles-for-world-cups/
  15. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56257270
  16. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55129751
  17. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/33896716/us-announced-hosts-2031-2033-rugby-world-cups
  18. www.world.rugby
    https://archive.today/20240925154023/https://www.world.rugby/news/887975/new-visual-identity-revealed-as-rugby-world-cup-embraces-future-and-rugbys-unique-energy
  19. "Rugby World Cup Women's Stats Archive"
    https://scrumhalfconnection.com/rugby-world-cup-womens-stats-archive/
  20. Radio New Zealand
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/574364/braxton-sorensen-mcgee-world-cup-try-leader-points-leader-breakthrough-player-of-the-year
  21. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/-kmQf_2to4k?si=2FxWZizIbQ-bhwwR
  22. "Records tumble in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup quarterfinal win over France in Cardiff"
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/73123026/records-tumble-in-the-all-blacks-rugby-world-cup-quarterfinal-win-over-france-in-cardiff
  23. A third place match was played – won by France, probably by 3–0. However, the game can only be considered as "unofficial
  24. Was played in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom).
  25. Taking place in 2022.
  26. Rugby World Cup
    https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2025/en/news/1016583/hollie-davidson-to-referee-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025-final
  27. "England to host Women's Rugby World Cup"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081017202240/http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4703895a22479.html
  28. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44062807
  29. BBC
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44062807
  30. Sport Industry Group
    https://www.sportindustry.biz/news-categories/news/thomas-lyte-official-silverware-supplier-sport-industry-awards/
  31. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cvg30gj4dedo
  32. "New, bigger Women's Rugby World Cup trophy revealed"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c62870j0wx6o
  33. World in Their Hands - The Story of the First Women's World Cup
  34. RugbyPass
    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/from-hatton-garden-to-parents-loft-womens-rugby-world-cup-trophy-history/
  35. "Missing Women's Rugby World Cup trophy found in attic after 15 years"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59011657
  36. Sky Sports
    http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12328_6284813,00.html
  37. "News Releases - 17.07 - Women's Rugby World Cup to be broadcast LIVE on TG4 - TG4 - Irish language television channel - Teilifis Gaeilge"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150510040058/http://www.tg4.ie/en/corporate/news-releases/2014/170714.html
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