Unions have been invited to bid for the premier 15-a-side tournament, which will be held in England in 2010.

Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and President of the IRB, said: “The phenomenal growth of women’s Rugby World Cup since its inaugural tournament in 1991 is a major success story for the women’s game.

"Burgeoning participation, the introduction of women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and ever increasing standards of competition mean that the women’s game has never enjoyed such a strong global profile and the launching of this tender process is another significant milestone for the women’s game."

Interested Unions have until October 30 to formally express an interest in tendering for the right to host the Tournament.

RWCL will analyse the tenders prior to the IRB Council selecting the host country at a meeting in May 2010.

Preparations are already well underway for the biggest women’s World Cup to date in England next year, with the start of the tournament less than a year away.

Pool matches begin on Friday, August 20, 2010 and the final is scheduled for Sunday, September 5 in London.

It willl be the sixth Women’s Rugby World Cup, following Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Scotland and Wales.

Susan Carty, the IRB women's development manager, said: “With the exceptionally successful inaugural women’s Rugby World CUp Sevens earlier this year, a high profile women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in England next year, potential Olympic Games inclusion from 2016 and now the launch of a global tender for women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, these are incredibly exciting times for the women’s game.

"Planning and preparation for England 2010 is at an advanced stage, qualification is well under way with 11 teams already qualified and I am sure that the RFU (Rugby Football Union) will deliver a wonderful showcase for women’s rugby around the world, reaching out to new fans and taking the profile of the Game to a new level.

"The global rugby family looks forward to what promises to be another landmark event for the women’s game.

"There are more countries than ever playing women’s Rugby, with 16 teams participating in the qualification process for the woemns' Rugby World Cup 2010, compared to eight in 2006."

Catherine Spencer, England women’s captain, said: “Any World Cup obviously is very special and I was lucky enough to be involved in the last one, but to have it on home soil really does add that extra something."