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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 followed by England with three titles and the United States with the single title in 1991.

Infobox

Sport
Women's rugby union
Instituted
6 April 1991 (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

Tables

· Results and records › Tournaments
Champions
Champions
Ed.
Champions
Year
Score
Hosts
Runners-up
Final
Third place
Final
Score
Final
Fourth place
1
1
Ed.
1
Year
1991
Hosts
Wales
Final
United States
Final
19–6 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Final
England
Third place match
France
Third place match
Shared
Third place match
New Zealand
Num. teams
12
2
2
Ed.
2
Year
1994
Hosts
Scotland
Final
England
Final
38–23 Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
Final
United States
Third place match
France
Third place match
27–0 Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
Third place match
Wales
Num. teams
12
3
3
Ed.
3
Year
1998
Hosts
Netherlands
Final
New Zealand
Final
44–12 NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Final
United States
Third place match
England
Third place match
31–15 NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Third place match
Canada
Num. teams
16
4
4
Ed.
4
Year
2002
Hosts
Spain
Final
New Zealand
Final
19–9 Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Final
England
Third place match
France
Third place match
41–7 Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Third place match
Canada
Num. teams
16
5
5
Ed.
5
Year
2006
Hosts
Canada
Final
New Zealand
Final
25–17 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Final
England
Third place match
France
Third place match
17–8 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Third place match
Canada
Num. teams
12
6
6
Ed.
6
Year
2010
Hosts
England
Final
New Zealand
Final
13–10 Twickenham Stoop, London
Final
England
Third place match
Australia
Third place match
22–8 Twickenham Stoop, London
Third place match
France
Num. teams
12
7
7
Ed.
7
Year
2014
Hosts
France
Final
England
Final
21–9 Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Final
Canada
Third place match
France
Third place match
25–18 Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Third place match
Ireland
Num. teams
12
8
8
Ed.
8
Year
2017
Hosts
Ireland
Final
New Zealand
Final
41–32 Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
Final
England
Third place match
France
Third place match
31–23 Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
Third place match
United States
Num. teams
12
9
9
Ed.
9
Year
2021
Hosts
New Zealand
Final
New Zealand
Final
34–31 Eden Park, Auckland
Final
England
Third place match
France
Third place match
36–0 Eden Park, Auckland
Third place match
Canada
Num. teams
12
10
10
Ed.
10
Year
2025
Hosts
England
Final
England
Final
33–13 Twickenham Stadium, London
Final
Canada
Third place match
New Zealand
Third place match
42–26 Twickenham Stadium, London
Third place match
France
Num. teams
16
11
11
Ed.
11
Year
2029
Hosts
Australia
Final
To be determined
Final
To be determined
Final
16
12
12
Ed.
12
Year
2033
Hosts
United States
Final
To be determined
Final
To be determined
Final
16
Ed.
Year
Hosts
Final
Third place match
Num. teams
Champions
Score
Runners-up
Third place
Score
Fourth place
1
1991
Wales
United States
19–6 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
England
France
Shared
New Zealand
12
2
1994
Scotland
England
38–23 Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
United States
France
27–0 Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh
Wales
12
3
1998
Netherlands
New Zealand
44–12 NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
United States
England
31–15 NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Canada
16
4
2002
Spain
New Zealand
19–9 Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
England
France
41–7 Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
Canada
16
5
2006
Canada
New Zealand
25–17 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
England
France
17–8 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Canada
12
6
2010
England
New Zealand
13–10 Twickenham Stoop, London
England
Australia
22–8 Twickenham Stoop, London
France
12
7
2014
France
England
21–9 Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Canada
France
25–18 Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
Ireland
12
8
2017
Ireland
New Zealand
41–32 Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
England
France
31–23 Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
United States
12
9
2021
New Zealand
New Zealand
34–31 Eden Park, Auckland
England
France
36–0 Eden Park, Auckland
Canada
12
10
2025
England
England
33–13 Twickenham Stadium, London
Canada
New Zealand
42–26 Twickenham 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
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
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
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
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. A third place match was played – won by France, probably by 3–0. However, the game can only be considered as "unofficial
  5. Was played in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom).
  6. Took place in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  7. "IRB press release"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230504/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid%3D2033145.html
  8. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/1960497.stm
  9. "1994 Women's Rugby World Cup – results"
    http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/clubs/womens_rugby/RugbyRoot/rugby/games/Results/94WWC.html
  10. "Rugby Femenino (Women's Rugby)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091219110828/http://rugby.iespana.es/h3.htm
  11. "New Zealand retain crown"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080723112527/http://www.rwcwomens.com/EN/News/match_30.htm
  12. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/nov/12/rugbyunion1
  13. "History of the Women's Rugby World Cup"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081212094016/http://users.ox.ac.uk/~ouwrugby/AhistoryoftheWomensRugbyWorldCup.shtml
  14. "Ireland to host 2017 Women's World Cup"
    https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/0513/700843-womens-rugby/
  15. "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/
  16. Inside the Games
    https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1024073/bidding-process-opened-for-2017-women-s-rugby-world-cup
  17. SportsPro
    https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/world-rugby-drops-gender-titles-for-world-cups/
  18. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56257270
  19. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55129751
  20. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/33896716/us-announced-hosts-2031-2033-rugby-world-cups
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