Rugby World Cup 2021 postponed until 2022 due to coronavirus pandemic

The tournament was due to be held to in New Zealand beginning on 18 September

New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge poses with the World Cup (Getty Images)

This year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to be postponed until 2022 due to the implications of the coronavirus pandemic, World Rugby has announced.

World Rugby said the “challenging global Covid-19 landscape” had led them to recommend a delay in the tournament, which is due to take place in New Zealand from 18 September to 16 October.

The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup board and World Rugby’s executive committee at a meeting next week.

World Rugby said in a statement: “The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global Covid-19 landscape.

“It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage.”

PA