Four nations apply to host 2014

Rugby World Cup Limited will now analyse the tenders prior to the IRB Council selecting the Host Union for Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 at its meeting in May next year.

None of the sides have previously hosted a Women's Rugby World Cup, with the previous hosts being Wales (1991), Scotland (1994), the Netherlands (1998), Spain (2002) and Canada (2006).

"We are looking forward to the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup to date in England in 2010 and have been working closely with the RFU to deliver a wonderful tournament, reaching new fans and further raising the profile of the Women's Game," said IRB Women's Development Manager Susan Carty.

"The host of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 can build on this and we can bring the tournament to one of the four countries, all of which have a strong tradition in Women's Rugby."

All four sides will be at the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2010 with Kazakhstan qualifying just last week from Asia when they beat Japan in that region's finals.

However while the four nations have expressed interest separately, according to Radio New Zealand, a bid from New Zealand and Samoa is more likely to involve the countries jointly hosting the event - a move which would do much to bring the game to a wider audience, but could prove problematic financially for the sides competing.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew is quoted as saying that because of New Zealand's success in the women's tournament and as an opportunity to build on the hosting of Rugby World Cup 2011, the NZRU decided to lodge an expression of interest to keep its options open in terms the 2014 tournament.

Tew says they wouldn't want to compete with Samoa for the hosting rights given the relationship they have with the Pacific Islands countries and the impact that this Tournament could have there.

New Zealand's Black Ferns have won the last three Women's Rugby World Cup titles. The 2010 Tournament will be hosted by England.