Participating Teams for Women's World Cup

	Australia	First played in the 1930s, taken seriously in the ’90s. 1992 five teams staged first club championship. AWRU established in 1993. Current playing numbers: 4411	Contact: Meagan White
	Canada	Canada’s first women’s international was against USA on 14 Nov 1987. The side finished fourth at both the 1998 and 2002 Women’s RWCs. Current playing numbers: 15400	Contact: Martin Gallagher
	England	First took off in the 80s, with Richmond RFC the first to have a women’s section. Reached the final in 1991, won 1994, lost semis 1998 lost final 2002. Current playing numbers: 11000	Contact: Rosie Williams
	France	The first French team formed in 1965 and the Association Française de Rugby Feminin (AFRF) was launched in Toulouse in 1970. Integrated into FFR since 1989. Current playing numbers: 3600	Contact: Wanda Noury
	Kazakhstan	Women’s rugby has a traditionally strong footing in Kazakhstan, where the main focus for developing the women’s game in the Asia region has been set. Current playing numbers: TBC	Contact: Luke O’Callaghan
	Ireland	The Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union formed 1992. First international against Scotland 1993. In 1995 the number of teams allowed for a divisional structure. Current playing numbers: 12000	Contact: Mark Andrews
	New Zealand	Champions in Amsterdam 1998 & in Barcelona 2002. NZ’s fastest growing women’s sport, with a Women’s NPC a talent showcase. Current playing numbers: 9675	Contact: Danika Charlton
	Samoa	Beat Ireland, Kazakhstan and Wales in 2002, promise to be strong competitors with many players in the NZ domestic leagues. Current playing numbers: 1600	Contact: Dawn Rasmussen
	Scotland	Hosted the second Women’s tournament 1994 after the Scotland Women’s Rugby Union had been formed in May 1993. Current playing numbers: 24695	Contact: Barb Wilson
	South Africa	In 2000 women’s ru gby integrated into the SARFU family. Women’s Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the country. Current playing numbers: 6700	Contact: Mahlubi Puzi
	Spain	One of the first nations to embrace women’s Rugby, Spain did not play a test until 1991. First played in the Catalonia, there is now a thriving league. Current playing numbers: 1160	Contact: Rafael Amieva
	USA	Took American Universities by storm in 1972. 1990 women officially adopted US Eagles title, 1991 won first World Women’s Tournament in Wales. Current playing numbers: 12200	Contact: Anne Barry

2006 Standings

1. New Zealand
2. England
3. France
4. Canada
5. Scotland
6. USA
7. Australia
8. Spain
9. Kazakhstan
10. Ireland
11. South Africa
12. Samoa

2002 WOMEN’S RWC, BARCELONA
STANDINGS

1 NEW ZEALAND
2 ENGLAND
3 FRANCE
4 CANADA
5 AUSTRALIA
6 SCOTLAND
7 USA
8 SPAIN
9 SAMOA
10 WALES
11 KAZAKHSTAN
12 ITALY
13 IRELAND
14 JAPAN
15 NETHERLANDS
16 GERMANY