Women's Rugby World Cup History - See all the previous winners, runners-up and scorelines from previous Rugby World Cup's
The Women's Rugby World Cup historically showcases the dominance of New Zealand and England. Since its inception in 1991, the tournament has seen only three different champions: the USA (1991), England (1994 and 2014), and New Zealand (six times). As the 2025 World Cup approaches, New Zealand stands as the defending champion, having never lost a final. England, despite winning twice, has appeared in eight out of nine finals. Notably, Canada reached the finals in 2014, marking their most significant achievement in the event. This history sets the stage for an exciting 2025 World Cup.
- First Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, 3 champions since.
- New Zealand leads with 6 wins and never lost a final.
- England in 8 out of 9 finals, winning twice in 1994 and 2014.
New Zealand are the most successful Women's Rugby World Cup team (Getty Images)
With the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup upon us, we take a quick look at the previous winners of the tournament.
The first Women's Rugby World Cup was held in 1991, four years after the first men's event. It has since been played every four years, although there was just a three-year break between the first and second.
It is important to note that the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup was actually only played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it is still known as the 2021 event.
The nine events have seen a total of only three winners. New Zealand have won the title six times while England have been winners twice. The USA won the very first World Cup back in 1991.
Coming into the 2025 event, New Zealand are the defending champions having won in 2017 and 2021 (2022). The Black Ferns have also never lost a final.
On the runners-up scale, Canada is the only new team to add who hasn't won it after they reached the 2014 final. The USA, after winning it in 1991, lost to England in both 1994 and 1998 in the final.
England have been the runners-up in five of New Zealand's six victorious years. In fact, England, while having only won it twice, have been in the final in eight of the nine tournaments. The only final the English missed out on was back in 1998 when New Zealand beat the United States.
Women's Rugby World Cup History
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | United States | England | 19–6 |
| 1994 | England | United States | 38–23 |
| 1998 | New Zealand | United States | 44–12 |
| 2002 | New Zealand | England | 19–9 |
| 2006 | New Zealand | England | 25–17 |
| 2010 | New Zealand | England | 13–10 |
| 2014 | England | Canada | 21–9 |
| 2017 | New Zealand | England | 41–32 |
| 2021 | New Zealand | England | 34–31 |
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