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Latest News
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
RWC 2025
Thursday 27 January, 2022
3 min read

New qualification pathway confirmed for Rugby World Cup 2025

World Rugby has confirmed details of the qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup 2025 as the women's edition of the tournament expands to 16 teams.
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  • RWC 2025 host nation will automatically qualify for the tournament
  • RWC 2021 semi-finalists will secure direct qualification for RWC 2025
  • New WXV will form key part of the RWC 2025 qualification process
  • New pathway offers more opportunities for more teams to qualify
  • RWC 2025 host to be selected by the World Rugby Council in May 

World Rugby has confirmed details of the qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup 2025 as the women's edition of the tournament expands to 16 teams. 

The new qualification pathway, approved by the Rugby World Cup Limited Board, will provide teams with greater opportunity to qualify, supporting the ambition of delivering the best teams to the showcase tournament, while also widening regional representation.

Rugby World Cup 2025 will be the jewel in the crown of a new international calendar for women’s rugby with the hugely-anticipated WXV competition due to commence next year.

Under the new pathway, the RWC 2025 host nation will automatically qualify for the tournament with the four RWC 2021 semi-finals also securing direct qualification to the pinnacle event. The 2025 host will be selected by the World Rugby Council in May this year. 

Should the host nation of RWC 2025 be a semi-finalist of RWC 2021 and win, only the remaining three teams will qualify for RWC 2025.

The next six teams will qualify via regional competitions by 2024, with winners in Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, South America and the newly established cross-regional competition, the Pacific Four Series, securing direct qualification. 

Should the host nation of RWC 2025 win their respective regional competition, the next best placed team in that region will secure direct qualification.

The final opportunity to qualify for RWC 2025 will come via WXV, the new three tiered annual women’s 15s competition, with at least the top five ranked non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 qualifying for the tournament. 

READ MORE ON WXV >>

With WXV acting as a qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup to provide teams from all regions additional qualification opportunities, WXV 3 will expand from four to six teams and will now be made up of two teams from Europe and one from Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America. 

Stages Number of Teams Details
1. Host nation for RWC 2025 1 Announced in May 2022.
2. Top four teams from RWC 2021, completed November 2022 3 or 4

RWC 2021 semi-finalists (number dependent on whether the host is a semi-finalist).

3. Qualification via regional tournaments  6

One from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America and Pacific Four Series. 

4. Number of teams who will qualify through WXV  5 or 6 Top ranked non-qualified teams at the end of  WXV 2024 (number dependent on whether the host is a RWC 2021 semi-finalist).

 

Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director, Alison Hughes, said: “As Rugby World Cup 2025 expands from 12 to 16 teams we are committed to ensuring that the qualification process also evolves to ensure a fair and certain pathway that provides teams with more opportunities to qualify for the pinnacle event. 

“With the inclusion of WXV as part of the qualification pathway, this not only streamlines the qualification process and reduces the necessity for additional qualification tournaments within the new women’s international calendar, but it will also make the WXV competition even more competitive and brings new meaning as it now provides a final opportunity for all non-qualified teams worldwide to secure their place at Rugby World Cup 2025.”

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin added: “The women’s edition of Rugby World Cup is at the heart of our strategic mission to grow the game globally and the 2025 competition will play a key role in inspiring the next generation of players and fans, showcasing just why it is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

“This reimagined qualification process, coupled with an expanded event in 2025 will enable World Rugby, in full partnership with unions and regions to develop structures and pathways that promote competitiveness and global expansion.”

The Rugby World Cup 2025 host will be confirmed by the World Rugby Council at its Annual Meeting of Council. England is the preferred candidate.

Trending News Show all
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
8 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Big names fall on dramatic day of upsets at HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Argentina and Australia were knocked out in the men’s quarter-finals, while Series leaders South Africa and heavyweights New Zealand failed to even make the knockout stages. Australia and New Zealand’s women impressed, while Fiji reached the final four in both events.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sat 21 May, 2022
8 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
6 min read
Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
5 min read

Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
Serevi Coaching Roadshow - HSBC Event
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022
4 min read

Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
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