WXV 3, Round Two - Preview

SPOTLIGHT: The battle for spots for the 2025 World Cup is heating up in the WXV 3.

Madagascar and Hong Kong China get the action underway in Dubai on Friday before Fiji take on Samoa and the Netherlands face Spain on Saturday.

Georgia Rivers and Zoe Smith have been drafted into the Hong Kong China line-up for their first-ever match against Madagascar on Friday.

Smith kicked two conversions and a penalty to help her side to the 22-0 victory against Kazakhstan that confirmed their place in Dubai.

Having appeared as a second-half replacement in Hong Kong China’s opening defeat to Fiji, she has been given the nod on the left wing with Lucia Bolton dropping out of the squad.

The other change is also in the backs as Rivers is handed her first test start in the number 10 jersey and Fung Hoi-Ching, who kicked her side’s only points against Fijiana, is named among the replacements.

On the bench, prop Chan Hiu Tung and second row Chow Mei Nam could make their first appearances of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Fiji head coach Mosese Rauluni has made three personnel changes to the team that beat Hong Kong China in the opening round.

Hooker Loraini Senivutu comes into the front row, with Vika Matarugu shifting to tighthead prop.

In the backs, flyhalf Jennifer Ravutia has been selected to start alongside scrumhalf Evivi Senikarivi and Talei Wilson is drafted in at inside centre in place of Ivamere Nabura, who drops out of the squad.

Salanieta Kinita, who wore the 10 jersey last Saturday, is named on the bench where there is also a place for Merewairita Neivosa.

The Netherlands have made three changes as they chase a maiden victory against Spain in Dubai.

Hooker Anoushka Beukers and tighthead prop Brechtje Karst return to the front row, with Nicky Dix moving across to the loosehead.

The only other change comes in the backs, where Lisa Egberts starts at scrumhalf and Esmee Ligtvoet shifts into the No.10 jersey.

Gwen van der Schoot and Marit Lemmens are drafted into the squad on the replacements’ bench as head coach Sylke Haverkorn again opts for a six-two split between forwards and backs.

Harlequins prop Laura Delgado will captain Spain on Saturday having been recalled to the front row as one of five personnel changes for the match at The Sevens Stadium.

Delgado will line-up alongside hooker Cristina Blanco, who skippered the team to triumph against Madagascar, and tighthead prop Mireia de Andres, who is set to make her first Test start in Dubai.

The other changes in the pack come in the back row, where flanks Nerea García and Alba Capell have been recalled and will line-up either side of No.8 Carmen Castellucci.

Outside centre Alba Vinuesa is also back and replaces Claudia Cano, who drops to the bench.

Friday, October 4

Madagascar v Hong Kong China
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 19.00; 15.00 GMT, 17.00 Madagascar time, 23.00 HKT )

Referee: Shanda Assmus (Canada)
Assistant Referees: Tyler Miller (Australia) & Melissa Leboeuf (France)
TMO: Maria Heitor (Portugal)

Saturday, October 5

Fiji v Samoa
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 18.00; 14.00 GMT; 22.00 S 02.00 Sunday, Oct 6 Fiji time, 03.00 Sunday, Oct 6 Samoa time)

Referee: Holly Wood (England)
Assistant Referees: Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) & Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Dan Jones (England)

Netherlands v Spain
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 20.30; 16.30 GMT; 18.30 CEST)

Referee: Jess Ling (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Tyler Miller (Australia) & Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)

*Additional Source: Rugbypass