It was not until 2009 that the IRB officially endorsed the event as a "world cup" when it published, for the first time, a list of previous winners.

The women who had trained so hard, and had gone to much trouble raising money etc., were so disappointed at the cancellation that an alternative tournament in Scotland was soon organized.

This Women's Rugby World Cup, like its predecessor in 1991, was never endorsed by the IRB and the Scottish organizers did not pursue official sanctioning.

Eventually eleven of the original sixteen entrants took part – as well as New Zealand, Netherlands also withdrew from both participation as well as hosts, and Spain pulled out very late – after the groups had been drawn – and were replaced by a Scottish Students team.

Once the event was underway it proved to be a great success,[3] England exacting revenge for their 1991 defeat to USA, beating the defending champions 38–23 in the final.