RFU to bid to host Rugby World Cup in 2025

With just one year to go until the next Women’s Rugby World Cup, the RFU has confirmed it aims to submit a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2025 and has formally provided an expression of interest to World Rugby. 

Since England last hosted the RWC in 2010 and won it in 2014, women’s rugby has grown exponentially with World Rugby stating the women’s game is the single biggest opportunity to grow the sport globally.  England’s 15-a-side team is now the No 1 ranked team in the world and the RFU has grown female participation in England from 13,000 to 40,000 registered players in clubs, with a growing pipeline of 80,000 girls playing in schools, colleges and universities.   

For the 2025 bid the RFU plans to adopt a multi-city and multi-region approach to delivering the tournament. This hosting model will facilitate great opportunities for people living in different parts of the country to attend the tournament, promoting rugby and enhancing participation in the sport nationwide.