Getting to know WXV

SPOTLIGHT: As a supporter of the game, there is always something new to get excited about and the annual WXV is no different.

The WXV is only in its second year and has been growing rapidly.

WXV is a three-tier international women’s competition that will be hosted by Canada, South Africa and Dubai.

The tournament will be played over three consecutive weekends in September and October and to make it more intense there are six places for the Women’s World Cup in 2025 on the line.

WXV 1 will be hosted in Canada following record crowds at the World Rugby Pacific Four Series in 2023 and the women’s national team excelling to earn a place in the top four of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings.

Hosting the tournament will certainly increase exposure for the sport in North America.

Hoping for a similar outcome in their respective countries are South Africa and Dubai, who will host WXV 2 and WXV 3 for the second consecutive year.

Qualification for the WXV has been underway since March with unions from around the world competing to secure one of 18 spots across the relevant levels through their regional competitions.

WXV 1 have been concluded, while there are still spots in WXV 2 and WXV 3 available.

Participating teams in WXV 1 include the three top-ranked sides from the Women’s Six Nations – this year, that’s England, France and Ireland – plus the top three from a four-nation cross-regional tournament – that’s Canada, New Zealand and USA.

WXV 2 contains the Six Nations fourth and fifth which are Italy and Scotland, the Africa Women’s Cup champions and host South Africa, the Asia Women’s Championship winner Japan, and the fourth-placed team at the Pacific Four Series,  Australia this year.

The WXV 3 consists of the runner-up of the Africa Women’s Cup Madagascar, the Asia Women’s Championship runner-up Hong Kong China, and the Oceania Women’s Championship participants Fiji and Samoa, while the Netherlands also made the cut.

Spain and Wales have both qualified for WXV and will fill the final two spots in WXV 2 and WXV 3 after their play-off on June 29.

Dates for the tournament:

Round one – Friday, September 27 – Sunday, September 29
Round two – Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6
Round three – Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 13