Rugby World Cup (women's)

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 Zealand. 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] 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. New Zealand won the title for the second time by defeating England 19–9 in the final.

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.[9]

Logo prior to 2019

A record four countries expressed interest in hosting the 2010 World Cup. After considering bids from England, Germany, Kazakhstan and South Africa, the IRB announced that the 2010 event would take place in England.[10] The tournament was staged in London, with the final played at the Twickenham Stoop.[11]

The 2017 World Cup was hosted by the Irish Rugby Football Union, which governs the sport on an All-Ireland basis. Games were held in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and in Belfast in Northern Ireland.[12][13]

New Zealand will host the next Rugby World Cup for women in 2021.[14] From 2025 the competition finals will be expanded to 16 teams, from the 12 competing in 2021.[15]

Team	1991	1994	1998	2002	2006	2010	2014	2017	2021
0
Australia	–	–	5th	7th	7th	3rd	7th	6th	Q
Canada	5th	6th	4th	4th	4th	6th	2nd	5th	Q
England	2nd	1st	3rd	2nd	2nd	2nd	1st	2nd	Q
Fiji	–	–	–	–	–	w	–	e	Q
France	3rd	3rd	8th	3rd	3rd	4th	3rd	3rd	Q
Germany	–	w	14th	16th	–	e	–	–
Hong Kong	–	–	–	e	e	e	e	12th
Ireland	–	7th	10th	14th	8th	7th	4th	8th	Q
Italy	8th	w	12th	12th	–	e	e	9th
Japan	11th	8th	–	13th	e	e	e	11th
Kazakhstan	–	9th	9th	11th	11th	11th	12th	–
Netherlands	7th	w	13th	15th	–	e	e	e
New Zealand	3rd	w	1st	1st	1st	1st	5th	1st	Q
Russia	11th[lower-alpha 1]	11th	16th	–	–	e	e	e
Samoa	–	–	–	9th	10th	e	11th	–
Scotland	–	5th	6th	6th	6th	8th	e	e
South Africa	–	–	–	–	12th	10th	10th		Q
Spain	6th	w[lower-alpha 2]	7th	8th	9th	e	9th	10th
Sweden	10th	10th	15th	–	–	12th	e	–
United States	1st	2nd	2nd	5th	5th	5th	6th	4th	Q
Wales	9th	4th	11th	10th	–	9th	8th	7th

Q = nation qualified for Final Tournament not yet played
w = nation withdrew from (final) Tournament
e = nation eliminated in qualifying stage and did not reach Final Tournament
– = nation did not enter competition.

The following nations have participated in qualifying stages, but have never reached the Final Tournament:

Team	1991	1994	1998	2002	2006	2010	2014	2017	2021
0
Belgium	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	e	–
Colombia	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	p
Czech Republic	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–
Finland	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	–
Kenya	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	p
Laos	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	–
Madagascar	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	e
Papua New Guinea	–	–	–	–	–	w	–	e	–
Philippines	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	–
Singapore	–	–	–	–	–	e	e	–	–
Switzerland	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–
Thailand	–	–	–	–	e	–	e	–	–
Uganda	–	–	–	–	–	–	e	–	e

e = nation eliminated in qualifying stage and did not reach Final Tournament
w = nation withdrew from qualifying stage
p = nation possibly eliminated in qualifying stage and will need to be successful in Repechage in order to reach Final Tournament
– = nation did not enter qualifying stage competition.

Apart from the African region, the nations involved in the continental qualifying stages have not been announced as at 20 October 2019.