After the success of the 2023 Women’s Six Nations saw a record crowd for a Women’s rugby match pack themselves into Twickenham Stadium, it is clear that Women’s rugby continues to grow. This October, there will be a brand-new competition taking place called WXV, with the inaugural competition being held in New Zealand.
The WXV competition will be broken down into three tiers – WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3. The top six Women’s teams in the World will battle it out in WXV 1, which so far includes England, France and Wales. This competition will take place in New Zealand, across three weekends on October 21st, 28th and November 4th.
The three other nations for WXV 1 will be decided by the upcoming World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2023. New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States will battle it out, with the top three out of the four progressing into the WXV 1 competition.
The Fourth placed side from the Pacific Four Series will drop into WXV 2, and will join the likes of Scotland, Spain and three additional qualifiers for the competition. WXV 2 and WXV 3 will take place on the weekends of October 14th, 21st and 28th. WXV 2 will be held across South Africa, with WXV 3’s host nation yet to be confirmed. Italy and Spain will battle it out to decide which nation joins WXV 2 and WXV 3 respectively.
England’s former Captain Sarah Hunter is delighted with the announcement of the new competition. The newly appointed Red Roses Transition Coach is excited for her side to consistently battle the best opposition in the world.
“To know that when you look at the calendar as England, and having recently played for England, that you’ll be playing some of the best teams in the world, it can only make you better, and to know that it’s not just every four years you get that opportunity to do so.” Hunter told Sky Sports.
“I just think it’s a really exciting concept, that every year you’re going to be playing in one of the toughest competitions there is.”
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont added: “We made a pledge at a spectacular Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand to accelerate the advancement of the women’s game.
“Much progress is being made at rapid pace and today we are marking another milestone with confirmation of the dates and venues for the inaugural WXV competition.
“With women and girls leading our strategy to grow the sport on a global basis, this competition will increase the reach and impact of the sport and drive the overall competitiveness of women’s international rugby as we look forward to an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup 2025 in England and subsequent Rugby World Cups in Australia in 2029 and USA in 2033.”
THE WXV TIERS AND COMPETITING TEAMS
WXV 1: England, France, Wales and top three teams from World Rugby Pacific Four Series
WXV 2: Scotland, Spain or Italy, bottom team from World Rugby Pacific Four Series, one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa
WXV 3: Ireland, Spain or Italy, Brazil or Colombia, one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa