It’s hard to think of a more crowded day on the international calendar than next Saturday, 30 September. It will see no fewer than five test matches taking place, plus another outing for the Barbarians.
The line-up
England v Canada (Hendon), Italy v Japan (Parma), New Zealand v Australia (Hamilton), Scotland v Spain (Edinburgh), Wales v USA (Colwyn Bay), plus Munster v BaaBaas (Limerick).
So even before WXV begins, World Rugby will have achieved one of its foremost aims, to increase the number of international matches played. Nations are taking the build-up very seriously, and the only answer is to organise more contests.
The first and third of that list involve teams in WXV1. Italy and Japan are both in WXV2; Scotland (WXV2) and Spain (WXV3) are not slotted into the same pool; neither are Wales (1) and USA (2).
New Zealand v Australia
Since this is the forerunner of a completely new format in women’s rugby, we must expect inconsistent results, even very one-sided ones. For example, New Zealand have yet to lose to Australia in what doubles as the O’Reilly Cup. When we look at the disarray the Wallabies find themselves in in their World Cup, we can hardly expect the Wallaroos to be better off. Rugby Australia has only just announced it is seeking a full-time head coach for them.
How they are meant to produce their best under the current set-up is hard to imagine; Jay Tregonning has been required to work miracles. We can only hope that WXV will be the turning-point for them; they have the athletes and the enthusiasm to advance at pace.
Ruby Tui will appear for the Black Ferns. That’s probably the only news item Kiwi fans needed to hear.
Scotland v Spain
Rachel Malcolm reckons the current Scottish squad is the strongest she has known. It’s strengthened by the return from the GB Sevens squad of Lisa Thomson and Rhona Lloyd. Competition for starting players is as tight as it has ever been. Then we must wonder whether they are being offered enough competition before WXV gets under way. A single match against a nation in a lower pool hardly looks sufficient.
Spain as usual have to contend with the backwater they have been condemned to, ever since they were ousted from the Six Nations sixteen years ago. They rule the roost at that level, the European Championship, but it weakens their strength when they come up against elite sides.
Playing a 6N side away from home will prove an excellent preparation for the trials to come in New Zealand.
Wales v USA
The game in North Wales will be vital for the hosts. It will determine just how far they have developed since the last award of contracts put them on the front foot. They did enough to qualify for the top tier of WXV while the Eagles were edged out by their results in the Pacific Fours.
Wales have suffered a late setback with the withdrawal through injury of Natalia John.
Italy v Japan
The most intriguing battle must be Japan’s visit to Italy. Behind the fixture lies a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two unions, to increase interaction between the two nations at every level.
The Sakura are getting used to travelling the world; now they will meet a side that is trying to re-establish itself with newer, younger players aboard. The game is a warm-up for the real thing: the two sides meet again on 13 October in Stellenbosch.
England v Canada
Canada welcome the chance to have a second crack at England, this time in London. The last time they appeared at Saracens’ ground (2017) was unhappy for them, but that was a very callow side they took over. The current one has far more know-how, as four tries against the world’s No 1 proves.
But England were still able to cross the line eight times, so the Maple Leafs know an improved defence is their first need.
It will be interesting to see how far Louis Deacon is planning to alter the make-up of his starting XV. For the trio of big games in New Zealand he will want to have checked over as many of his chosen 30 players as possible. But the prime aim is another victory.
Your Choices
And that line-up excludes the romantic pairing of Munster and the Barbarians at Thomond Park. I leave it to you to decide how you fit all these six games inside 24 hours.
