The top seven placed teams from the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017; New Zealand, England, USA, France, Canada, Australia and Wales, have already secured automatic qualification for the competition in 2021.

Under the pathway, non-qualified teams will compete in new and existing regional tournaments, with the plan to maximise international spread and exposure.

Tournaments will be held in line with the following regions; Oceania, Rugby Europe, Asia Rugby, Rugby Africa, South America.

Scotland will be placed in the Rugby Europe tournament along with Ireland, Italy and the winner of the 2020 Rugby Europe women’s championship. This will be held in September 2020.

The winner of this tournament will automatically secure a place at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021.

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.

The schedule of regional qualification tournaments and the Women’s Rugby World Cup Repechage will be announced later this year.

Gemma Fay Head of Girls and Women’s Rugby said, “The recent Women’s Six Nations Championships was a tough one for Scotland. However, we have seen big developments in the team and individuals over the last 6 months.

“With the Head Coach role looking to be filled by the summer, this will give us the chance to look at this new pathway and prepare the team in the best way possible.

“Recent successes with the Scotland Women 7s and the 2^nd place finish at the World Sevens Series Qualifier event will only strengthen our XVs squad. I believe we will be in the best place possible to start preparing for this new qualification route when the XV’s squad get together after the summer.”