Paul Rouse: Women were expected to watch, admire and help with the catering

Thirty years ago this week, the Women’s Rugby World Cup was played for the first time. It was only in 1993 that the first international rugby match involving Irish women was played

England captain Sarah Hunter (right) and New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili with the Women’s Rugby World Cup, held in Ireland in 2017. Picture: Brian Lawless

Thirty years ago this week, the Women’s Rugby World Cup was played for the first time. The competition was played out in South Wales, with Cardiff as its hub.

Twelve countries – USA, England, New Zealand, Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Wales, Sweden, Italy, Japan, the USSR and France – took part. The competition was held despite the failure of the International Rugby Board to recognise it and despite the inability to secure a sponsor. Most of the women had to pay their own way there.