Asia Rugby Women’s Championship Division I providing pathway to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

The Asia Rugby Women’s Championship Division I will double up as part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification process.

In June China, India, Singapore and the Philippines will have an opportunity to take a step closer to qualifying for the women’s showpiece event in New Zealand.

Fixtures And Results >>>> @ARWC2019D1

On 19 June Singapore will play China who are competing in their first Test since 2011, while hosts Philippines take on India. The winning two sides will meet in the final on 22 June with the winner heading to a play-off with Kazakhstan.

The winner of that match will join next year’s Asia Rugby Women’s Championship from which the winner will qualify for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021.

Ada Milby, World Rugby and Asia Rugby Council Member, is anticipating a competitive tournament that plays an important role in the development and growth of women’s rugby in Asia.

“This year’s ARWC Div I will be a competition worth watching,” explained Milby.

“The level of competition is going to be higher and there will be the added WRWC qualification pathway element which will gives all teams another level of motivation.

“China will be taking part in their first Test since 2011, while Singapore will be looking to show they are ready to take it to the next level having won the tournament in 2012 and again last year.

“India have perhaps the strongest domestic league and as hosts the Philippines will have an added boost.

“With World Rugby’s launch of the landmark ‘Try and Stop Us’ campaign, this tournament fits perfectly with Asia’s our own narrative of the growth of women’s rugby and I’m excited to see the noise and engagement that comes from it.”

Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification

REGIONAL WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION PATHWAY TOURNAMENTS;

Oceania: The expanded Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship 2019 will act as the WRWC 2021 qualifier with the winner qualifying directly to WRWC 2021

Rugby Europe: For the first time in Europe, a standalone qualification tournament will be held in September 2020. Ireland, Italy and Scotland will be joined by the winner of the 2020 Rugby Europe women’s championship with the winner qualifying directly to WRWC 2021

Asia Rugby: The existing Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2020 will act as the WRWC 2021 qualifier with the winner qualifying directly to WRWC 2021
Rugby Africa: A new women’s competition to be held in August 2019 will act as the WRWC 2021 qualifier with the winner qualifying directly to WRWC 2021

South America: A WRWC 2021 qualification competition will be held in 2020. The winner will progress to a play-off between the second-placed team from the Africa regional tournament to determine the fourth team to compete in the Repechage.

The final team to qualify for WRWC 2021 will be decided via the new Repechage tournament, which will take place in 2020. The tournament will comprise of the second placed teams in the Asia, Europe and Oceania regional tournaments and the winner of the play-off between South America and second-placed team from the Africa regional qualifier.