Scotland must win their pool at the FIRA-AER European Trophy in order to qualify for Women's RWC 2010

Following the resounding success of the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens competition in Dubai last month, attention now turns to the 15-a-side format and the next phase of qualifying for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 in England.

Reigning champions New Zealand, runners-up and hosts England and bronze medal winners France have already qualified for the 12-team tournament which will take place in West London between August and September 2010.

The three teams will be joined by South Africa, Canada and USA, who all gain automatic passage, while Wales and Ireland qualify courtesy of being the top two sides in the recently completed RBS Women’s Six Nations outside of England and France.

“The Women’s Game is experiencing significant global growth. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai propelled Women’s Rugby to new heights, demonstrating huge advances in standard and global competitiveness with the likes of China, Brazil and Thailand competing alongside Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“The 2009 Women’s Six Nations demonstrated that the fifteens Rugby is also in excellent health with a tournament that was compelling from start to finish. The qualifying process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 is raising the bar once more as the global Rugby Community looks ahead to the tournament in London.”

The next phase of the qualifying process kicks off with the Women's European Trophy in Stockholm, Sweden, from May 17-23. The competition will feature Scotland and Italy from the Six Nations alongside Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Sweden.

The teams will be spilt into two pools with Pool A featuring Scotland, Netherlands, Russia and Belgium and Pool B containing Italy, Spain, Sweden and Germany. The top team in each pool will qualify for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010.

The two remaining places in the 12-team tournament will come from the Asia and Oceania regions. The Asia qualifier will be determined by the ARFU Championship, while Australia and Samoa will meet in a one-off match to decide Oceania's qualifier.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 Qualification Process:

Europe

Qualified: England, France, Wales and Ireland

Qualifier: FIRA-AER European Trophy - Stockholm, Sweden (May 17-23)
Teams: Scotland, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden

Africa

Qualified: South Africa

Asia

Qualifier: ARFU Championship (Dates and venue to be confirmed)
Teams: TBC

Oceania

Qualified: New Zealand

Qualifier: Australia v Samoa (Dates and venue to be confirmed)

Americas

Qualified: Canada and USA