World Rugby has confirmed the qualification process for the next Women’s Rugby World Cup, which sees the top seven teams from Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 automatically qualify, meaning reigning champions England, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, USA and Australia are confirmed for the 2017 tournament.
Wales finished eighth in this year’s showpiece tournament in Paris which now leaves Rhys Edwards’ side with two avenues of qualifying for 2017.
The two best ranked Six Nations Women’s teams (outside of those teams already qualified) from the combined results of the 2015 and 2016 Women’s tournaments will qualify which means Wales, Scotland and Italy will be fighting it out over the next two campaigns.
The lowest ranked side in the Women’s Six Nations (combined 2015 and 2016 results and outside of the teams already qualified) and the Rugby Europe Women’s champion will then contest a home and away playoff match.
“We now know what is required for qualification in the next World Cup and so there is now a huge focus on the forthcoming Six Nations campaign,” said Edwards.
“The Dubai Sevens was a real eye-opener for some of the girls where they discovered exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level. Hopefully they can learn from that and take those experiences into the Six Nations where we need to focus for the full 80 minutes in each and every game to get over the finish line in games we have just let slip over the past couple of occasions.
“The way the games have fallen in this year’s Six Nations, we’ve got every chance of getting some good results,” added Edwards.
“We begin at home in Swansea against an England side which will probably have quite a few changes before travelling to Scotland and France before taking on Ireland at home before completing the campaign in Italy.”
Head of Rugby World Cup Alan Gilpin said: “The record-breaking success, appeal and excitement of Paris 2014 underscored just why women’s rugby is one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports.
“We’re happy that the qualification process for the 2017 tournament is robust and will ensure the 12 best teams in the world will be competing.”
The tournament, which was won by England in Paris last August, will move to 2017 to maximise synergy with the Olympic and Rugby World Cup Sevens cycles. The event will return to a four-year cycle after 2017.
