Rugby World Cup 2021 schedule Defending champions New Zealand host the ninth women’s World Cup, the first time the tournament has been staged in the Southern Hemisphere POOL A N. Zealand Australia Wales Scotland POOL B Canada USA Italy Japan POOL C England France South Africa Fiji Kennedy Simon One of two co-captains of New Zealand POOL STAGE: October 8-23 8 Australia - N. Zealand S. Africa - France Fiji - England 9 Wales - Scotland USA - Italy Japan - Canada 15 Scotland - Australia USA - Japan France - England 16 Wales - N. Zealand Italy - Canada Fiji - South Africa 22 Australia - Wales N. Zealand - Scotland France - Fiji 23 Japan - Italy Canada - USA England - South Africa KNOCKOUT STAGES Q-finals: Oct 29 Bronze final Oct 30 1 Seed 1 Nov 12, Eden Park Seed 2 3 Seed 8 Seed 7 Whangārei Auckland Semi-finals Eden Park A Winner 1 Winner 3 B Winner 2 Winner 4 Nov 5 Nov 5 Whangārei Auckland 2 Seed 4 Seed 3 4 Seed 5 Seed 6 Oct 29 Oct 30 World Cup final Nov 12, Eden Park Tournament originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed by coronavirus pandemic Source: World Rugby Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS