– Kazakhstan women’s team ranked second in Asia qualify for the Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates in Dubai from the 19th – 25th of February 2022
– Hong Kong withdraws from participating in the Asia Rugby Women Championship scheduled for 12th February 2022
Due to recent changes in the lockdown restrictions, the Hong Kong women’s team is unable to travel to Dubai enabling Kazakhstan to play Colombia in a semi-final on 19th February 2022 at 16:30 local time where the winner will play Scotland in the final on 25th February 2022 at 19:00 local time
Anna Yakovleva hoping to fulfil lifetime ambition and guide Kazakhstan to Tokyo 2020
The winner of the final will secure the last remaining spot for Rugby World Cup 2021 and will play in Pool A alongside hosts New Zealand, Australia and Wales. This is the first time the women’s edition of the Rugby World Cup has featured a Final Qualification Tournament offering teams a second pathway to qualify with the winner booking their place in Pool A alongside hosts New Zealand, Australia and Wales next year.
Eleven teams have already booked their place at Rugby World Cup 2021, including New Zealand, England, France, Canada, USA, Australia and Wales, who qualified through their final ranking at Ireland 2017, and South Africa, Fiji, Italy and Japan who qualified through their regions.