It’s a six-way shoot out to stage 2021 World Cup

AFTER just one nation – Ireland – tendered a bid for the 2017 Women’s World Cup, everybody in the game will be encouraged by a record six runners and riders for the 2021 event.

Australia, New Zealand, France, Wales, England and Portugal are all putting their hats in the ring with the full bids to be submitted by August 10 with the final decision being made by World Rugby on November 14.

Emotionally New Zealand – five time former champions – have a very strong card to play but a tournament in New Zealand would involve considerable travel cost for all the other teams save Australia.

That has been a deterrent in the past but New Zealand could present a financial model whereby attendances and guaranteed revenue can get around that problem.

Australia will also face a similar problem if they are to win the bidding process.

France are brilliant rugby hosts but having staged the 2014 tournament, this year’s Junior World Cup and winning the bid for the 2023 men’s World Cup, it might be decided they’ve had enough of the gala occasions for the time being.

England you suspect can put forward the most financially attractive package but were hosts as recently as 2010 and it could be that Wales – who staged the very first women’s World Cup in 1991 – could find favour if they can make the figures stack up.

Finally Portugal’s bid is probably laying down a marker for the future for a country that has only ever once fielded a national women’s XVs match. It would be bold and probably an enjoyable venue but the women’s game right now needs a sure fire success story so Portugal must start as the rank outsider.