World Rugby has announced that gender titles will no longer be used in World Cup tournaments.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand will now be named Rugby World Cup 2021 and this will be the case for the men’s and women’s tournaments in the future.
The 2021 World Cup will be the first women’s rugby tournament to fall under the gender neutral naming regulations.
World Rugby said that the move is aimed at improving the status of the women’s game, as well as removing gender bias from sport.
“Unintentional gender bias in sport is an ongoing issue,” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said. “As a global sporting federation we need to be leading from the front on the issue of equality.
“By adopting gender balance in the naming of men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup competitions, we are setting new standards in equality in rugby.”
World Rugby Women’s Advisory Committee Chair Serge Simon added: “This is much more than an initiative – it is the ultimate statement of equality and a first for sport.”