In 2014 the RFUW and Rugby Football Union (RFU) combined to be one national governing body.

In September 2010 the RFUW was integrated into the Rugby Football Union as a "Constituent Body", retaining significant levels of independence in the management of coaches and teams while at the same time adopting many of the RFU's structures – for example the RFUW's 11 Regions (used for development and talent identification) were abolished and replaced with the four RFU Divisions.

By and large the structure and regulation of women's and girls' rugby in England is similar to that of the men's game, reflecting the close working relationship between the RFUW and RFU especially on development.

However, there are a number of significant differences: Although the local administration of both the men's and women's game is managed via the same Constituent Bodies (CBs) – generally counties (such as Surrey, or Devon), or groups of counties (such as Notts, Lincs & Derby, or Berks, Bucks & Oxon) – prior to 2010/11 the structures above county rugby were very different.

As well as Talent Development Groups at both U18 and U15 level The first women's international rugby union match in Great Britain took place when Great Britain played against France in April 1986 at Richmond Athletic Ground, London.

The first ever Women's Rugby World Cup was held in Cardiff, Great Britain in 1991.

England gained their revenge in 1994 beating 38–23 in the final, and have since reached the final in 1998 and 2006 losing on both cases to New Zealand, the 2010 world cup was held in England, mainly in Surrey sports park – now dubbed the home of the RFUW.

France joined the competition in the 1998/99 season making it the Five Nations Championship with England achieving the Grand Slam.