# Spain women's national rugby union team

The Spain women's national rugby union team played their first match on 2 May 1989, against France, losing 0-28. The team played the Women's Six Nations from 2000 to 2006, but they were replaced by Italy for 2007, in order to mirror the men's tournament.

## History

Currently there are over 200 clubs in Spain and a league similar to that of male rugby. The first steps were taken in 1913, when women played in secret in schools, but rugby first began to be played seriously at training camps at the School of Architecture of Madrid in the early 70s by a group of architecture students. They formed a group of about 20 girls who trained regularly twice per week and as they were the only ones who practiced, played sided games between themselves. They played well
In the late seventies a group of female PE students taught by Jose Antonio Sancha, a professor of Rugby at Barcelona INEF, decided to train with the men's rugby and played the game seriously (though they were not recognised by the Catalan Federation rugby until 1983).
The first game was played in Barcelona between the BUC and INEF clubs and other clubs quickly formed in different parts of Spain but mainly in the early years only came from Barcelona and Madrid. In a few years female rugby spread to Madrid, the Basque Country and Valencia. In 1991 27 women's teams participating in regional competitions.
The national team first played in Cardiff (Wales) at the Rugby World Cup, where they won the fifth place behind the United States, England, France and New Zealand. In 1994, the Spanish team was unable to come to Scotland because of budgetary problems, however Spain remained one of the top teams in Europe. In 1995 Spain became the unexpected champions of the first European Championship by defeating rival France, in the final 21–6. The 1996 European brought a repeat of that final but this time the Spanish lost by 15–10.
In January 1997 a tour of England took place where Spain and were in the lead against the World Champions until 10 minutes from the end of the match. Only a last minute try by England gave them the win and in European (the first where all the British teams competed) played the final but Spain came 3rd. Spain qualified for the World Championships in Amsterdam and managed a creditable 7th place. Spain again reached the European final in 1999 against France, losing 13–5, after beating Wales (14–8) and Scotland (11–9).
The 2002 World Cup was held in Barcelona, New Zealand retaining its title in defeating (19–9) to England in the final at the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys. France took the bronze after beating Canada (41–7), while Spain finished in 8th place after yielding to the United States (23–5).
Spain were also members of the Five and Six Nations from 2000 to 2006, finishing third on three occasions and winning 10 of the 33 games they played. However, in 2007 they were replaced by Italy because the Six Nations Committee wished to align the women's tournament with the men's. This has severely reduced Spain's opportunities to play top level international rugby, and may have been a factor in Spain's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. However, they were compensated a little in 2010 when they won the "double" of the European 15s and 7s titles without losing a game.

## Competitive record
### Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA |
| 1991 | Plate final | 6th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 38 |
| 1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1998 | Plate Semi-final | 8th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 71 | 141 |
| 2002 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 83 | 66 |
| 2006 | Group stage | 9th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 132 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | Group stage | 9th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 105 | 86 |
| 2017 | Group stage | 10th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 73 | 134 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2025 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified |
| 2029 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2033 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Total | 6/9 | 6th$^†$ | 29 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 428 | 597 |
| Champion Runner-up Third place Fourth place * Tied placing $^†$ Best placing Home venue |||||||||

### Five/Six Nations Championship

Women's Six Nations Championship record :
| Year | Position | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA |
| 2000 Women's Five Nations | | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 88 |
| 2001 Women's Five Nations | | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 47 |
| 2002 Women's Six Nations | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 56 | 100 |
| 2003 Women's Six Nations | 6th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 204 |
| 2004 Women's Six Nations | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 114 |
| 2005 Women's Six Nations | 4th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 32 | 161 |
| 2006 Women's Six Nations | 6th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 175 |
| Total | 3rd (best result) | 33 | 10 | 1 | 22 | 240 | 889 |

### Rugby Europe Women's Championship

Rugby Europe Women's Championship record :
| Year | Position | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA |
| 1988 European Cup | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1995 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 6 |
| 1996 European Championship | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 82 | 15 |
| 1997 European Championship | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 19 |
| 1999 European Championship | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 30 |
| 2000 European Championship | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 71 | 57 |
| 2001 European Championship | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 26 |
| 2002 European Nations Cup | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2003 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 15 |
| 2004 European Championship | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 48 | 49 |
| 2005 European Championship | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2006 European Nations Cup | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2007 European Championship | | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 128 | 31 |
| 2008 European Championship | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 68 |
| 2009 European Trophy | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 18 |
| 2010 European Trophy | | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 33 |
| 2011 European Trophy | | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 152 | 19 |
| 2012 European Championship | 4th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 175 |
| 2013 European Championship | | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 171 | 7 |
| 2014 European Trophy | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2015 European Trophy | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2016 European Championship | | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 208 | 7 |
| 2018 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 7 |
| 2019 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 0 |
| 2020 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 7 |
| 2022 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 |
| 2023 European Championship | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 5 |
| 2024 European Championship | | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 5 |
| Total | 11 titles | 62 | 47 | 0 | 15 | 2,048 | 599 |

### Overall

(Full internationals only, updated to 23 March 2024)
Spain Internationals From 1989 :
| Opponent | First Match | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Win % |
| Australia | 1998 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 0.00% |
| Belgium | 2010 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Canada | 1991 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 129 | 0.00% |
| Czech Republic | 2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 97 | 0 | 100.00% |
| England | 1991 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 138 | 714 | 11.11% |
| Fiji | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 100.00% |
| Finland | 2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 0 | 100.00% |
| France | 1989 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 154 | 450 | 30.00% |
| Germany | 1996 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 171 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Hong Kong | 2015 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 30 | 100.00% |
| Ireland | 1997 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 154 | 154 | 54.55% |
| Italy | 1991 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 297 | 235 | 62.50% |
| Japan | 1991 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 113 | 27 | 66.67% |
| Kazakhstan | 1998 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 20 | 100.00% |
| Kenya | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Netherlands | 1991 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 562 | 31 | 100.00% |
| New Zealand | 1998 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 46 | 0.00% |
| Russia | 2007 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 10 | 100.00% |
| Samoa | 2006 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 22 | 100.00% |
| Scotland | 1997 | 23 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 275 | 442 | 34.78% |
| South Africa | 2014 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 134 | 148 | 42.86% |
| Sweden | 2004 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 220 | 24 | 83.33% |
| United States | 1998 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 35 | 124 | 0.00% |
| Wales | 1998 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 167 | 128 | 63.64% |
| Summary | 1989 | 159 | 84 | 3 | 72 | 3359 | 2770 | 52.83% |

## Players
### Recent squad

Spain announced their squad on 3 September 2024 for the WXV 3 tournament in Dubai.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| María del Castillo | Hooker | (1996-01-11)11 January 1996 (aged 28) | 13 | Olímpico de Pozuelo |
| Inés Antolínez | Prop | (1996-06-12)12 June 1996 (aged 28) | 13 | Crealia El Salvador |
| Cristina Blanco | Hooker | (1995-09-30)30 September 1995 (aged 28) | 22 | Ealing Trailfinders |
| María de las Huertas Román | Prop | (1999-02-12)12 February 1999 (aged 25) | 14 | Simón Verde Magnolia Cocos |
| Nuria Jou | Prop | (2001-11-10)10 November 2001 (aged 22) | 6 | UE Santboiana |
| Sidorella Bracic | Prop | (1993-06-12)12 June 1993 (aged 31) | 18 | Crealia El Salvador |
| Laura Delgado | Prop | (1988-06-30)30 June 1988 (aged 36) | 40 | Harlequins |
| Mireia de Andrés | Prop | (1999-09-10)10 September 1999 (aged 25) | 3 | Sant Cugat |
| Anna Puig | Second row | (1999-10-14)14 October 1999 (aged 24) | 31 | UE Santboiana |
| Mónica Castelo | Second row | (1987-04-18)18 April 1987 (aged 37) | 24 | Stade Rennais |
| Lourdes Alameda | Second row | (1989-07-02)2 July 1989 (aged 35) | 29 | AC Bobigny 93 Rugby |
| Nadina Cisa | Second row | (1993-07-24)24 July 1993 (aged 31) | 7 | LOU Rugby |
| Nerea García | Back row | (1996-11-17)17 November 1996 (aged 27) | 6 | Crealia El Salvador |
| Alba Capell | Back row | (2003-10-28)28 October 2003 (aged 20) | 17 | Sale Sharks |
| Lia Piñeiro | Prop | (2001-08-28)28 August 2001 (aged 23) | 5 | Olímpico de Pozuelo |
| María Calvo | Back row | (1999-02-16)16 February 1999 (aged 25) | 26 | Complutense Cisneros |
| Carmen Castellucci | Second row | (2002-08-26)26 August 2002 (aged 22) | 18 | Gloucester-Hartpury |
| Lucía Díaz | Scrum-half | (1998-02-04)4 February 1998 (aged 26) | 28 | Silicius Majadahonda |
| Maider Aresti | Centre | (2003-07-24)24 July 2003 (aged 21) | 10 | Simón Verde Magnolia Cocos |
| Anne Fernández de Corres | Scrum-half | (1998-05-30)30 May 1998 (aged 26) | 23 | Spanish Rugby Federation |
| Amàlia Argudo | Fly-half | (2000-01-24)24 January 2000 (aged 24) | 14 | Stade Toulousain |
| Naroa Azpitarte | Centre | (2005-11-20)20 November 2005 (aged 18) | 1 | Getxo Artea |
| Zahía Pérez | Fly-half | (2004-01-14)14 January 2004 (aged 20) | 18 | Silicius Majadahonda |
| Claudia Cano | Fly-half | (2005-08-02)2 August 2005 (aged 19) | 4 | Complutense Cisneros |
| Alba Vinuesa | Wing | (1999-03-30)30 March 1999 (aged 25) | 24 | Stade Français Paris |
| Claudia Pérez | Wing | (2004-06-29)29 June 2004 (aged 20) | 12 | Silicius Majadahonda |
| Clara Piquero | Fullback | (1999-02-11)11 February 1999 (aged 25) | 18 | Lons Section paloise |
| Martina Márquez | Centre | (2003-01-29)29 January 2003 (aged 21) | 4 | AVR FC Barcelona |
| Claudia Peña | Fullback | (2004-10-26)26 October 2004 (aged 19) | 15 | Harlequins |
| Lea Ducher | Fullback | (2002-04-29)29 April 2002 (aged 22) | 5 | Simón Verde Magnolia Cocos |

### Most capped Players

    As of 30 October 2022
| # | Player | Position | Career | Caps |
| 1. | Aroa González | Hooker | 1997–2017 | 74 |
| 2. | Inés Etxegibel | Fly-half | 1994–2007 | 64 |
| 2. | Rocío García | Prop | 2003–2017 | 64 |
| 4. | Isabel Rodríguez | Scrum-half | 2003–2011 | 56 |
| 5. | Bárbara Plà | Centre | 2004–2017 | 53 |
| 6. | Pilar López | Lock | 1996–2003 | 49 |
| 6. | Nerea Otxoa de Aspuru | Prop | 2003–2013 | 49 |
| 8. | Mercedes Batidor | Flanker | 1995–2002 | 47 |
| 9. | María Isabel Pérez | Wing | 1991–2002 | 46 |
| 10 | Helena Roca | Centre / Fly-half | 2001–2014 | 45 |
| 10. | Karitte Alegria | Number 8 | 1994–2005 | 43 |
| 10. | Coral Vila | Fullback | 1996–2003 | 43 |
| 10. | Paula Medín | Loose forward | 2007–2022 | 43 |
| 10. | Patricia García | Scrum-half | 2010–2022 | 43 |