The IRB have announced the qualification path for the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup which will kick off with the upcoming 6 Nations.
There are six automatic qualifiers for WRWC 2014: Reigning world champions New Zealand, 2010 runners up England, 2010 bronze medallists Australia, 2014 hosts France and USA and Canada by virtue of their top six placing at WRWC 2010.
The opportunity for the other 6 Nations side to qualify will take place at both this year’s tournament and the 2013 event. After England and France, the two highest placed teams on aggregate over two years will secure places at France 2014.
The remaining two other teams from the Women’s 6 Nations, plus the highest ranked teams in Europe (though it’s still not clear how that will be determined) will be joined by a team from Oceania (again it’s not clear how this team will be chosen) in a Women’s Rugby World Cup qualification tournament in 2013.
Reflecting the significant growth of Women’s Rugby in Africa, the continent will host a qualification tournament for the first time with the burgeoning Elgon Cup in 2013, involving Kenya and Uganda, used to determine the play-off opponent for South Africa, who have played in the past two Women's Rugby World Cups.
One Asian team can qualify by winning the 2013 Asian Women’s 15s tournament (the ARFU women’s championship).
“These are exciting times for Women’s Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup is the premier event in the Women’s Game, providing the platform for growing the sport across the world and building on the record broadcast and attendances we saw in London two years ago,” said Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“As we look to France 2014, the qualification process will ensure the very best teams from across the world will meet in Paris, and we have created an opportunity for more teams than ever before to achieve their Rugby World Cup dream.”
IRB Women’s Development Manager Susan Carty said: “With over 200,000 registered women currently playing the Game in over 100 countries around the world, the qualification process reflects the significant and sustained growth we have experienced in recent years in the Women’s Game.”
