History will be made on Friday as Italy and Japan enter Danie Craven Stadium to contest the first-ever WXV match and kick-off a thrilling weekend of action in the competition’s second level. Stellenbosch will also be the picturesque setting for hosts South Africa’s meeting with Scotland later on Friday and Saturday’s encounter between USA and
Colombia, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Ireland and Spain have arrived in the UAE with their sights set on becoming the first winners of WXV 3. Fiji and Colombia will bring the curtain up on what promises to be an enthralling opening weekend of WXV 3 2023 at The Sevens Stadium on Friday. And with qualification for
WXV1 Australia – Jay Tregonning The only part-timer in the top tier; Rugby Australia has launched a search for a permanent DoR Canada – Kevin Rouet Born in Bordeaux, but emigrated to Canada fourteen years ago England – Louis Deacon Interim only; if John Mitchell makes it to NZ in time, he will be ‘an
The six teams involved are: Colombia (ranked 25th), Fiji (19th), Ireland (11th), Kazakhstan (18th), Kenya (23rd) and Spain (13th). As with WXV2, five continents are represented here, another feather in World Rugby cap. But there is a chasm-like disparity in experience, both at World Cup and general test level. Though Ireland and Kazakhstan both date
More unfortunate withdrawals Two of England’s injured players have now been confirmed as unable to make the trip to New Zealand. They are Lucy Packer and Sadia Kabeya. Their replacements are Daisy Hibbert-Jones who is uncapped, and Emma Sing, who has earned five caps over the past two seasons. While DH-J is a direct replacement
Red Roses flanker Sadia Kabeya and scrum-half Lucy Packer will miss the inaugural WXV tournament due to injury. Kabeya will continue to rehabilitate her hamstring after missing the Summer Series matches against Canada, while Packer sustained an ankle injury in the second Test which will keep her sidelined. Loughborough Lightning’s Daisy Hibbert-Jones and Emma Sing
The six teams are Italy, Japan, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and USA. Unlike the six in WXV1 they don’t divide neatly along geographical lines, indeed they come from five different continents, which is gratifying. So a decision had to be made about dividing them into their two pools. It works out like this: Italy (ranked
Three nations, Australia, Canada and Wales, have a prime role to play in how the top division works out. They may rank behind England, France and New Zealand, but their dearest wish will be to topple one of the assumed giants. They don’t fit neatly together in the two pools of three. Wales, the one
Part One, WXV1 For the first time ever the leading nations of the world will start meeting up on an annual basis. Those six for the inaugural tournament are England, New Zealand, France, Canada, Australia and Wales. The tension is tangible. The shape of the coming tournament in New Zealand is different from anything experienced
As I feared, some of the eighteen nations have already had to announce changes to their squads of 30. First came Scotland, where the uncapped Holly McIntyre had the misfortune to have to withdraw. She is replaced by Sarah Law. Now the French management has reported two changes: both Romane Ménager and Lilou Graciet are
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