In reality with only four teams taking part, and lacking major nations such as France, England and Canada, it was never that.

However it was still a significant step forward – the first ever world-wide multi-regional women's rugby tournament.

[citation needed] Held only eight years after the first women's international it was a sign of how much the game had already expanded.

Teams from Asia, North America and Europe took part alongside local sides in a series of 15-a-side fixtures.

Participants included four "national" teams (originally there were to have been five, but Japan withdrew) and featured what are held by many to be the first internationals ever played by New Zealand and USSR/Russia.