Women's Rugby World Cup 2021: Fixtures, team-by-team guide, and whether England can live up to favourites tag
England are playing in the Women's Rugby World Cup. They are aiming for their third World title. The team is motivated by the pain of losing the 2017 final to New Zealand. England became the first women's team to go fully professional in 2019. They play France in their second Pool C match tomorrow. Their next match is against South Africa on 22 October. World Rugby wants to make the gaps between matches longer. Semi-finals take place on 5 November and the showpiece a week later. Canada, USA and Australia are chasing them. New Zealander's have fallen behind them in terms of development.
New Zealand are the defending champions. Wayne Smith is the new coach. England are favourites to win the tournament. New Zealand lost to England and France last autumn.
Wales and Australia are the least likely teams to qualify for the World Cup. Australia have never beaten their neighbours. Scotland finished with the wooden spoon in the Women's Six Nations this year. Scotland lost 21-17 to USA in their August friendly. England are favourites to win the tournament.
Canada are the dark horses of the World Cup, despite being ranked third in the world. USA won the inaugural World Championship in 2015. Italy have risen to fifth in world rankings. Japan are ranked 13th and are unlikely to take advantage of their favourable draw. The Brave Blossoms recovered from a surprise defeat to Ireland to level their Test series 1-1.
England are the overwhelming favourites for the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup. France are ranked fourth in the world and have often provided England with their biggest challenge. Laure Sansus is the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Tournament.
Fiji are making their World Cup debut in New Zealand. South Africa are the fun team to back in this World cup. Fiji secured the Oceania Championship earlier this year and won bronze in rugby sevens at Tokyo 2020. National Lottery players raise more than £30m a week for good causes.
