Everything you need to know about the second round of WXV 2024

WXV returned in style last weekend and now the teams are ready for a potentially decisive second round.

England’s meeting with New Zealand takes top billing as WXV 1 moves to Langley Event Centre, but Canada’s encounter with impressive Ireland and France’s opener against USA should prove thrilling.

In South Africa, Wales and Italy will hope to kick-start their WXV 2 bid while Scotland continue their title defence against Japan and the hosts meet Australia full of confidence.

Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates a couple of regional rivalries will be played on the WXV stage for the first time as Fiji take on Samoa and Spain face Netherlands. Madagascar and Hong Kong China, moreover, will have their sights on a maiden victory to reignite their hopes of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification.

You can watch all the action live and for free via RugbyPass TV, where there isn’t a local broadcast deal in place.

WXV 1

Saturday, 5 October (all matches Langley Event Centre, Langley)

USA v France – KO 12:30 local time (GMT-7)

Match headline: USA meet France for the first time in five years as both teams attempt to bounce back from opening defeats in Vancouver.

History: The Women’s Eagles won the first fixture, in September 1996, but have beaten Les Bleues only once in 12 attempts since, that victory coming 11 years ago.

Rankings: France are safe in fourth, but the Women’s Eagles could climb as high as fifth, equalling their highest ever position, if they win by more than 15 points and other results go their way.

Canada v Ireland – KO 15:45

Match headline: Hosts attempt to burst Irish bubble and maintain title interest into Red Roses finale, but Scott Bemand’s side may have other ideas.

History: The teams have only met three times previously with Canada leading the head-to-head two victories to one; albeit by an aggregate score of 113-22.

Rankings: Canada could cede second place even with a win if New Zealand beat England by more than 15 points the following day. Ireland can climb one place to fifth.

Sunday, 6 October

New Zealand v England – KO 13:00

Match headline: The Black Ferns look to kick-start their tournament against the world’s number one team, who beat them only three weeks ago in London.

History: The biggest rivalry in the women’s game, New Zealand lead the historic head-to-head 19 victories to 12 and have also won the most important of their 32 meetings: the five Women’s Rugby World Cup finals.

Rankings: The Black Ferns can regain second and cut England’s lead almost in half, but they must beat the Red Roses by more than 15 points – something that haven’t done since 2015.

WXV 2

Friday, 4 October (all matches Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town)

Wales v Italy – 16:00 local time (GMT+2)

Match headline: Women’s Six Nations rivals attempt to revive their hopes having scored only five points combined last weekend.

History: Wales have won 14 of their 23 meetings with Italy. That includes the previous two, but the Azzurre had lost just once in eight before that.

Rankings: Wales will climb one place if they beat ninth-placed Italy. The Azzurre must win by more than 15 points and hope Australia lose by the same margin to take eighth.

Saturday, 5 October

Japan v Scotland – KO 14:00

Match headline: Scotland continue their title defence against a Japan side looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat to South Africa.

History: The Sakura Fifteens won the first meeting between the teams, in Glasgow in 2019, but were beaten in Edinburgh two years later and lost again during WXV 2 2023.

Rankings: Japan will reclaim 11th if they upset Scotland on Saturday unless their victory is earned by less than 15 points and South Africa beat Australia by 16 points or more.

South Africa v Australia – KO 17:00

Match headline: Hosts attempt to make it two wins from two against an Australia side that impressed against Wales in the opening round.

History: The teams have met three times previously – all at Women’s Rugby World Cups – with the Wallaroos winning on each occasion by an aggregate of 156-15.

Rankings: Australia will climb one place to sixth if they win against the Springbok Women and Scotland fail to beat Japan.

WXV 3

Friday, 4 October (all matches at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai)

Madagascar v Hong Kong China – KO 19:00 (GMT+4)

Match headline: Newcomers search for a vital first WXV victory in the race for Women’s RWC 2025 qualification.

History: The teams have never previously met in a test match.

Rankings: Madagascar will climb to an all-time high of 24th with victory. Hong Kong China cannot improve on their rating and will only fall, one place to 18th, if beaten by more than 15 points.

Saturday, 5 October

Fiji v Samoa – KO 18:00

Match headline: Following an opening draw, Samoa know a victory against their Pacific Island rivals could be crucial to their hopes of playing at Women’s RWC 2025.

History: Fiji won the most recent fixture, 27-13 in June, to book their ticket to England 2025 and lead the head-to-head five victories to three.

Rankings: Fiji can climb as high as 13th with a large victory, if Spain lose, but will fall below Samoa if they lose by more than 15 points on Saturday.

Netherlands v Spain – KO 20:30

Match headline: Unbeaten European nations target a win in their quest for Women’s Rugby World Cup qualification.

History: Spain have won all 13 of their tests against the Dutch, dating back to an 8-0 victory in the teams’ first meeting at Women’s RWC 1991.

Rankings: A first victory against Spain in 14 attempts will lift the Netherlands to 15th.