What is WXV?
WXV 1 is the start of a new chapter in women’s rugby. The new top-tier series brings together the top three teams from the Six Nations in England, France and Wales and the top three from Pacific Four in New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The inaugural series, being played in New Zealand, is a round-robin tournament with the winner being decided by points, which could come down to the final game between the Black Ferns and England on November 4. The competition starts tonight when the Red Roses take on the Wallaroos. The second and third-tier competitions, WXV 2 and WXV 3, started last weekend in Cape Town and Dubai.
How it works
WXV 1 is a round-robin series with nine games across three weekends in three different locations — Wellington, Dunedin, and Auckland. It features standalone games on Friday nights, followed by double-headers on the Saturday. There will be no promotion or relegation in the inaugural season of WXV 1. However, the wooden-spooner in WXV 2 will be relegated to WXV 3 and the winner of the third-tier competition will be promoted. The sixth-placed team in WXV 3 will play off against the next highest-ranked side to determine who remains in the competition next season.
Why it is needed
WXV provides top-level competition and guaranteed extra tests for every women’s team each year, something that was lacking in their previous conferences. It aims to capitalise on the platform laid by the World Cup last year and help create more competition across the board. It will provide a better pathway for the 2025 World Cup with the top five-ranked non-qualified teams at the end of next year’s WXV tournaments earning their spot at the World Cup.
Six players to watch
New Zealand
Sylvia Brunt
The 19-year-old was brutal in the Black Ferns’ first test earlier this year and just keeps getting better every game. Massive ticker on defence and can create something out of nothing on attack. The Black Ferns midfielder’s future is bright.
Amy Cokayne
The hooker scored a hat-trick during last year’s World Cup final and is a driving forced tucked at the back of the Red Roses’ trademark rolling maul.
France
Madoussou Fall
Towering presence in the second row for the French. Huge lineout target, strong running game and deceptively quick, making her hard to take down. Puts in some massive hits on defence, too.
Sophie de Goode
The No8 is a massive ball carrier, good with the ball in hand and even has a tidy boot in her repertoire. Makes her hard to take down when you do not know where she is going.
Wales
Hannah Jones
Jones has been the glue in the Welsh backline since debuting at 16. Expect another big series out of her as the captain earns her 50th cap during the tournament.
Layne Morgan
The nippy halfback is everywhere and will be a driving force among a relatively inexperienced Wallaroos backline. Her combination with Kiwi-born Carys Dallinger will be tested.
