This was an entertaining, hard-fought game played for high stakes, a place in the World Cup and in WXV2. The losers would be condemned to the lowest of the three tiers.

To be consistent I ought to call Spain ‘Sbaen’, but I don’t want to appear too conversant with the Welsh language.

Early on Cymru showed a lot of invention, powerful forward thrusts, coupled with testing lines picked by the midfield. On three minutes the first beneficiary was Alex Callender, accepting an inside off-load from Beth Lewis to catch defenders on their weak shoulders. She was over to the left of the posts. Keira Bevan added the extras. (7-0)

Spain made their first entry into the hosts’ 22 when Alisha Butchers conceded an offside penalty.

An initial drive faltered as Spanish forwards lost their footing, but they retained possession and drove right to the line. Callender saved the situation with a jackal.

From there Cymru tried a repeat of the Try of the Tournament, in other words, the Dow special against Canada, after England spread the ball left from behind their own line, and Claudia Macdonald danced and spun a long pass to her opposite winger. Only now, Aurélie Groizeleau spotted a forward pass, and Cymru were back on their 5-metre line. Enterprise can come at a cost.

The Welsh nearly paid for the error. Another hard lesson: if the opposing No 8 can retrieve the ball, a pack driving forward at the set-scrum is vulnerable. Carmen Castellucci could, and she was twice involved as las Leonas attacked again. In a strange sequence of repeats, Cymru regained possession through… Callender! The Player of the Match already? That’s a bit early.

Lleucu George hoisted her first searching kick. Sure enough it was fumbled, and Spanish players in front fell offside. A series of dangerous Welsh phases saw the point of attack switching constantly. When Abbie Fleming reached over the line, the Spanish defence had done well enough for the TMO to be called in for his first adjudication. Result: try! (14-0)

Spain are a fine side. They went straight back on attack; the backs danced and weaved, the forward drove and off-loaded. But their weaknesses showed they were pinged once more for holding on. I don’t need to tell you who was responsible.

Back came las Leonas. They built patiently, recycled efficiently and gained a reward when Carys Cox stuck an arm out to intercept a threatening pass. She was given a 10-minute rest in the shade.

But Cymru had fallen off-side as well, so on the quarter-mark the impressive Amalia Argudo got her team on the board from in front. (14-3)

When a kick-through is deflected, the game offers unpredictable excitement. Now Spain were the beneficiaries: Argudo sliced through the Welsh defence and grubbed ahead as the last defender approached. She had to go to ground to gather the ball as it halted on the 5-metre line and was caught. But the support was there, and Ines Antolinez was granted the try as Groizeleau had an off-side penalty in mind anyway. (14-10)

On the half-hour Spain built a wonderful attack that showed why they defeat all their European rivals with such ease. They ran, passed, recycled, drove and repeated, till the Welsh were pinned on their line again. No white-line fever here. Finally the ball whipped out to the right-wing, where Claudia Perez finished the job with a flourish.

That set the cat amongst the pigeons (14-15) but at least Cox was restored to proceedings.

As if practising for Wimbledon the next day, spectators’ necks were at once stretched the other way. The Welsh pack drove at the line, and Butchers came up with the goods. (21-15)

Spain responded at once. An excellent drop-out saw Lisa Neumann forced into touch as she tried to net the ball and return it with interest. Cymru paid the price.

A quite outstanding set-move from the line-out saw Claudia Pena again set free and she danced her way over the line. Once more the conversion proved too tesiing for Argudo. Would it prove costly? (21-20)

After the 40, it was good to see both sides wanting to go on attacking; only a minor error allowed the referee to call a halt.

Half-time: 21-20. Some game!

Cunningham must have suggested more forward domination. It worked; a line-out drive put the Spaniards on the back foot. When the ball spread wide, Cox stepped neatly inside to exploit a lack of cover, and she was over. (28-20)

Back on attack, Bevan stood ready to tap on the 5, but Groizeleau issued a warning to Alba Vinuesa (now the captain) after two consecutive infringements. Another kick to the corner. Spain did outstandingly well to resist thrusts by Tuipulotu, then more by other hungry forwards. In the course of this bombardmant a Spaniard leapt backwards out of the melee, holding her leg. A physio was close by. Even with that handicap las Leonas held out. Finally Groizeleau signalled ‘held up’, and no more offsides had been conceded. It was almost like scoring at the other end.

Ah! But then, a second call for TMO assistance. Decision overturned. Try Butchers, converted well by Bevan (35-20)

Fitness was beginning to tell. Two Leonas went down in turn with cramp. Yet the visitors were back on the Welsh 5-metre line. Another chance went begging as Beth Lewis claimed the ball.

The comeback was a lovely move by the Welsh. George sent out a long looper, Jenny Hesketh accelerated and delayed her pass perfectly to give Cox another try. Spain could still gain some small credit for forcing the winger to feint inside before squeezing in by the flag; (40-20)

With ten minutes left, yet another unwise kick ahead led directly to a try by Hesketh. Spain were tiring; even a penalty kick to touch by Argudo was scuffed. Till then, she had played thorughly well.

Now a perfect high cross-kick from Robyn Wilkins found Cox so alone she might have been on a desert island. That was her hat-trick. (52-20)

Spain were still attacking for all they were worth as the game finished. Now to find a means to give them a better chance of narrowing the European gap. Cymru had their cherished place at the World Cup; Sbaen are condemned to WXV3 again.

Result: Cymru 52 Spain 20

Teams

Cymru: 15 Jenny Hesketh, 14 Lisa Neumann,13 Hannah Jones (captain), 12 Kerin Lake, 11 Carys Cox, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, 4 Georgia Evans, 5 Abbie Fleming, 6 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Bethan Lewis

Bench: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Kate Williams, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Courtney Keight

Spain: 15 Claudia Perez 14 Claudia Pena 13 Alba Vinuesa 12 Zahia Perez 11Clara Piquero 10 Amalia Argudo 9 Lucia Diaz 1 Ines Antolinez 2 Marieta Roman 3 Laura Delgado (captain) 4 Monica Castelo 5 Lourdes Almeda 6 Nerea Garcia 7 Alba Capell 8 Carmen Castellucci

Bench: 16 Nuria Jou 17 Maria del Castillo 18 Sidorella Bracic 19 Anna Puig 20 Maria Calvo 21 Lia Pineiro 22 Maider Aresti 23 Martina Marquez

Officials

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistants: Holly Wood (RFU), Adèle Robert (BEL)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Afterthoughts

Recent events in Wales have pointed up the severe financial difficulties facing the union. Abi Tierney has announced her 5-year strategy for setting Welsh rugby back on its feet, but critics have queried the costings. Nor are they alone. Scotland is suffering the same problems.

I mention these facts as they impinge directly of the fate of the women’s squads. They can hardly be expected to advance when the vital support systems are not in place. New national training centres are an asset, but with the majority of the their top players based in England, neither nation can expect to produce the results they and their supporters desire.

Several Spanish players might attract the attention of PWR coaches, if they haven’t already. I look forward to seeing how World Rugby and/or the 6N board can advance their cause.

There was an enthusiastic, carefree crowd in the sunshine, but a 2,436 attendance must be considered disappointing for so vital a match.

An important addition to the rewards is a direct qualification for the World Cup next year. Players and supporters will need to be in full control of their emotions as the match unfolds. The squads and match details are listed below.

Cymru at the canter?

There’s no doubt that Wales ought to win this game by a margin. Nearly everything points in their favour: they play regular high-class test matches, supported by eighteen rounds of PWR club matches in England. They lie five places higher than Spain in world rankings, 8th against 13th; that represents a considerable gap in achievement. They may well be fortified by Abi Tierney’s announcement of the WRU’s 5-year strategy for the future of Welsh rugby.

Their problem is that they haven’t had a chance to prove they have advanced since a desperately disappointing 2024 Six Nations campaign. They managed one win out of five, beating Italy in the final round at home, and by a mere 2 points.

After a well-reported period of slough, they achieved two successive third places to restore confidence, but then came that downturn. Critical voices have attacked the WRU itself, then the team management, but the captain, Hannah Jones, was brave enough to point the finger of blame at herself and her squad. This game will be their chance to begin the climb back to prosperity.

Kerin Lake will claim her 50th cap; congratulations to her. The one missing figure up front is Natalia John, so Georgia Evans moves from the back row to join Abbie Fleming.

Spain’s chances

For the Spaniards it’s the time-worn problem. Beyond the closed shop of the Six Nations they are the uncontested leaders in Europe. Their current record stands at seven consecutive wins, which is proof positive, if needed, of the yawning gap in achievement levels around the world.

Contrast that with Wales’ seven consecutive losses till part-redemption against the Azzurre.

A handful of names will be familiar to their opponents from within the PWR. Carmen Castellucci has taken part in big games for the champions, Gloucester-Hartpury; Claudia Peña is a recent signing for Quins, and the best known of all, Laura (Bimba) Delgado, the captain, will be celebrating her 40th cap for her nation. She takes us right back to the days of Patricia Garcia, one of the greatest of las Leonas.

Juan Gonzalez is pleased to welcome back Nerea García, who missed the whole of the European Championship through injury.

A Game of Consequences

A win for Cymru would mean avoiding a disastrous drop from WXV1 to WXV3, such are the curious workings of the competition.

A loss for Spain would merely deny them the rewards they feel they deserve. I share their sense of unfairness.

Teams

Cymru: 15 Jenny Hesketh, 14 Lisa Neumann,13 Hannah Jones (captain), 12 Kerin Lake, 11 Carys Cox, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, 4 Georgia Evans, 5 Alisha Butchers, 6 Alex Callender, 8 Bethan Lewis

Bench: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Kate Williams, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Courtney Keight

Spain: 15 Claudia Perez 14 Claudia Pena 13 Alba Vinuesa 12 Zahia Perez 11Clara Piquero 10 Amalia Argudo 9 Lucia Diaz 1 Ines Antolinez 2 Marieta Roman 3 Laura Delgado (captain) 4 Monica Castelo 5 Lourdes Almeda 6 Nerea Garcia 7 Alba Capell 8 Carmen Castellucci

Bench: 16 Nuria Jou 17 Maria del Castillo 18 Sidorella Bracic 19 Anna Puig 20 Maria Calvo 21 Lia Pineiro 22 Maider Aresti 23 Martina Marquez

Officials

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistants: Holly Wood (RFU), Adèle Robert (BEL)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Match Details:

Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
Date: Saturday, 29 June
Kick off: 17:35 BST

As with every other rugby nation, they have twin aims in view: the 2024 WXV and the 2025 World Rugby. How they balance them up will be one of the fascinations of the coming year.

Spain’s first challenge would be to defeat the side finishing fifth in the coming Six Nations. That was an adjustment to the regulations introduced at a late date, meaning that Italy had to play off against them. They couldn’t just walk untroubled into WXV2.

Le Azzurre won that decider comfortably 23-0, sentencing Las Leonas to WXV3, where they failed by the tightest margin (13-15) to beat Ireland to the top place.

But the RFER seems willing to stage either WXV2 or WXV3, depending on how its national side succeeds. Europe always seemed a likely venue for the second WXV. One question is whether it would be proper for it to stage two tiers. It seems unlikely. Two other leading contenders, France and England, have their hands full, one with the Olympics, the other with a World Cup.

The new Italy-Spain challenge is another step towards Spanish players being offered high-level match practice to ready them for the big time. In essence, it gives the selectors the chance to survey the best 50 players as a prelude to whittling them down to an elite squad for future contests.

We will get an initial indication of standards as the two Spanish teams take on Italy on 7 January. Will members of PWR clubs in England be allowed to participate? These matches clash directly with Round Seven of PWR. The global calendar can’t satisfy everyone!

The Federation admits the lack of resources offered to the national side in recent years, but has full confidence in their promise. It now gives an impression similar to Italy’s of giving proper backing to its women’s team.

Venues

RFER’s unconfirmed willingness to offer a venue for one of the WXV tiers is heartening in itself. In my coverage of WXV I’ve suggested that World Rugby might find it tricky getting three countries to provide hosting facilities. Even New Zealand found it impossible to attract the crowds expected to watch the six best nations on earth dispute WXV1.

Italy

Two new franchises have been created, based on the existing men’s clubs, Benetton and Zebre. They include 65 players from 15 clubs, a blend of seasoned internationals, players on the edge of test recognition, newcomers and – significantly – a maximum of one non-Italian player.

The national head coach, Giovanni Raineri, will be in overall charge; the two head coaches are his two assistants, Plinio Sciamanna and Francesco Iannucci.

The squads:

Benetton Rugby:

Martina Busana (Villorba Rugby), Erika Campigotto (Benetton Treviso), Beatrice Capomaggi (Villorba Rugby), Micol Cavina (Villorba Rugby), Francesca Celli (Benetton Treviso), Matilde Cheval (Valsugana Padova), Elettra Costantini (Valsugana Padova), Rebecca Crivellaro (Villorba Rugby), Alyssa D’Incà (Villorba Rugby), Alessia Della Sala (Rebels Rugby Vicenza), Giordana Duca (Valsugana Padova), Alice Fortuna (Rebels Rugby Vicenza), Alessia Franco (Benetton Treviso), Alessandra Frangipani (Villorba Rugby), Sofia Giacomini (Benetton Treviso), Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Padova), Laura Gurioli (Villorba Rugby), Maria Magatti (Benetton Treviso), Alessia Margotti (Valsugana Padova), Aura Muzzo (Villorba Rugby), Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Padova), Aregash Pellizzon (Benetton Treviso), Michela Sillari (Valsugana Padova), Gaia Simeon (Villorba Rugby), Emanuela Stecca (Villorba Rugby), Sofia Stefan (Valsugana Padova), Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Padova), Emma Tognon (Benetton Treviso), Margherita Tonellotto (Valsugana Padova), Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Padova), Beatrice Veronese (Valsugana Padova), Gaia Vigolo (Valsugana Padova), Alice Visman (Valsugana Padova).

Zebre Parma:

IIlaria Alonzi (Roma Rugby), Anna Carnevali (Rugby Colorno), Alice Cassaghi (Cus Milano), Sofia Catellani (Rugby Colorno), Giulia Cavina (Cus Milano), Chiara Cheli (Rugby Colorno), Angelica Cittadini (Unione Capitolina), Giada Corradini (Rugby Colorno), Giorgia Cuoghi (Highlanders Formigine), Sara D’Andrea (Lupi Frascati), Gaia Dosi (Rugby Colorno), Elena Errichiello (Unione Capitolina), Melania Galleani (Cus Milano), Francesca Granzotto (Unione Capitolina), Rubina Emma Grassi (Toulon), Alessia Gronda (Cus Torino), Mascia Jelic (Rugby Colorno), Isabella Locatelli (Rugby Colorno), Antonella Maione (Neapolis Campania Felix), Sara Mannini (Rugby Colorno), Nicole Mastrangelo (Unione Capitolina), Lucie Moioli (I Centurioni Rugby), Sara Negroni (Unione Capitolina), Laura Paganini (Cus Milano), Alessia Pilani (Rugby Colorno), Mihaela Pirpiliu (Rugby Rovato), Alissa Ranuccini (Rugby Colorno), Maria Nicole Ruggio (Rugby Colorno), Luna Agatha Sacchi (Cus Torino), Desiree Spinelli (Le Puma Bisenzio), Arianna Toeschi (Cus Torino), Lavinia Tonna (Lupi Frascati).

At first glance the Benetton squad looks much the stronger; so many experienced first-choice internationals figure there (Sillari, Giordano and Stefan for starters).

The mention of the fifteen clubs from the top two elite leagues is less impressive than it might seem. It’s sensible to cast the net wide, so that more players have the chance to catch the selectors’ eyes. But the gulf in attainment is one of the abiding weaknesses of the Italian structures. In Elite 1 alone the top teams, Valsugana and Villorba, regularly win by colossal margins. The gaps between them and clubs in the second tier will be that much greater.

The hope must be that bringing this wider pool of talent together will help to overcome these structural weaknesses.

Organising the Italian end of the project is Giuliana Campanella, who is also the team manager of the Azzurre. Beyond her we can detect the influence of Marzio Innocenti, the FIR President, who has been so proactive in supporting the women’s game, and World Rugby.

Full fixtures are shown below.

Spain

La Leonas are following a similar trajectory.

Two new squads have been assembled, the Iberians Sitges and the Iberians Valencia. Aroa González and José García take charge at Sitges, Marina Bravo and Juan González (head coach of the national team) in Valencia. The two cities are sited close together on the Mediterranean coast.

The squads:

Iberians Sitges:

Inez Antolinez, Gemma Silva, Nuria Jou, Cristina Blanco, Marina Garcia, Mireia De Andres, Anna Puig, Beatriz Rivera, Lourdes Alameda, Sara Martori, Nerea Garcia, Sara Marin, Marina Rodriguez, Carmen Castellucci, Alba Alpin, Bingbing Vergara, Ines Bueso-Inchausti, Claudia Barrio, Carmen Miranda, Alba Vinuesa, Clara Piquero, Martina Marquez, Claudia Pena, Elisabet Segarra, Marina Benito

Iberians Valencia:

Sofia Ayuso, Laure Tabarot, Marieta Roman, Abril Martin, Angela Rodriguez, Laura Delgado, Eider Garcia, Kasandra Sylla, Nadina Cisa, Elena Martinez, Ana Peralta, Vico Gorrochategui, Alicia Guio, Victoria Rosell, Lucia Diaz, Julia, Castro, Zahia, Perez, Bianca Ruiz, Claudia Cano, Claudia Araujo, Claudia Perez, Denisse Gortazar, Klara Exposito, Lia Pineiro, Elisa Alvarez, Marta Buendia
Both squads contain the expected mingling of seasoned internationals and newcomers to the elite level. They consist of 25 and 26 players respectively, fewer than the 30-strong Italian squads. Unlike their Italian counterparts they include players active in the PWR, (Blanco, Castellucci, Delgado).

The Shape of Things to come:

The initiative, undersigned by World Rugby, is to concentrate the best of the two nations’ players in two new franchises – bringing the cream to the top; but at the same time they are widening the pool of talent. All four squads will be under the watchful eye of national selectors.

They act as an important stepping-stone between club and international levels.

The campaign is of greater immediate help to the Azzurre, as they seek to improve their standing in the Six Nations. But it is significant that WR has paired Spain off with them, an overdue recognition of the unfair treatment Las Leonas suffered when expelled from the leading annual championship in the world.

But WR are not responsible for the way the 6N is organised. Will the 6N board one day prove equally innovative?

The Fixture Schedule:

7 January
Iberians Sitges v Benetton Treviso (Sitges)
Ibrians Valencia v Zebre Parma (Quatre Carreres, Valencia)

10 February

Zebre Parma v Iberians Sitges ( Parma)
11 February
Benetton Treviso v Iberians Valencia (Treviso)

The northernmost of the five international matches taking place on the same day saw the Scots assert their superior ranking and greater experience in a clear-cut win.

Spain have plenty of talent, but showed the occasional lack of an instinctive response to game- situations. So when Helen Nelson popped a chip deep into Spanish defence, the ball wasn’t cleared at the first opportunity.

From there things improved rapidly. The Scots infringed three times close to their line and paid the penalty as captain Cristina Blanco was in possession driving over the line.

Spain stayed ahead for half-an hour, but then the whistle started blowing insistently against them, and Sarah Bonor celebrated her return to international rugby with a stroll in on the left wing. (5-5)
Las Leonas were pressing hard again on the Scottish line, when the game turned turtle. Scotland moved the ball blind off the back of a scrum, and two well timed passes saw Rhona Lloyd left with about 75 metres of fresh air in front of her. No-one could haul her in. (10-5).

Meryl Smith ensured her team finished the half well on top with a sinuous run past waving arms, all the way to the line.

Half-time 15-5

On the restart a high tackle on Francesca McGhie brought the offer of a penalty, but Scotland built a sustained attack, winning two more penalty advantages. Holly Wood finally stopped the game with the blue shirts standing in front of the posts. Rachel Malcom called for a kick to the corner, but – can you believe it? – the line-out was lost.

Conditions were very similar to Wales’ game in Colwyn Bay, heavy rain making ball-control difficult.
But another lovely blind-side move saw McGie receive an over-the-top pass from Emma Orr to break free on the left and chalk up Scotland’s fourth. Nelson converted well. (22-5)

On the three-quarter mark Scotland won yet another scrum penalty advantage, but Orr doubled back inside to dot down under the sticks.

Amalia Argudo was a stand-out for the Spaniards with her fine running and sound right boot. But the team showed its relative inexperience in the vast number of penalties conceded.
Elis Martin added to their woes by driving over the line from an attacking line-out; Spain had run out of breath.

It’s a delight watching Scotland playing winning rugby again. Above all, they have outside backs who can act as magnets for attacking ball. In Orr, Smith and McGhie they have three young stars in the making.

Result: Scotland 36 Spain 5 Player of the match: Emma Orr

Teams

Scotland:

15 Rollie, 14 Lloyd, 13 Orr, 12 Smith, 11 McGhie, 10 Nelson, 9 McDonald; 1 Bartlett, 2 Skeldon, 3 Belisle, 4 McMillan, 5 Bonar, 6 Malcolm (captain), 7 McLachlan, 8 Gallagher.

Bench: 16 Martin, 17 Young, 18 Cockburn, 19 Wassell, 20 Donaldson, 21 Mattison, 22 Thomson, 23 Musgrove

Spain

15 Argudo 14 C. Perez 13 Vinuesa 12 Pozo 11 Piquero 10 Bueso-Inchausti 9 Vergara 1 Del Castillo 2 Blanco (captain) 3 Bracic 4 Puig 5 Castellucci 6 Fresneda 7 Capell 8 Calvo
Bench: 16 Antolinez 17 Roman 18 Delgado 19 Bianchi 20 Gorrocha Tegui 21 Aresti 22 Z. Perez 23 Blanco-Hortiguera

Officials:
Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) and Maria Heitor (FPR) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

Afterthoughts

On the card front, we were limited to a yellow for Ines Bueso-Inchausti in the 80th minute, which by current standards is a small mercy.

Like the Wales-USA game, this brought together two teams competing in different tiers of the WXV, so Las Leonas can take comfort from the many passages of bright, constructive play they put together.

This was Scotland’s only game between the last Six Nations and the coming WXV. Was it really enough?

15 Rollie, 14 Lloyd, 13 Orr, 12 Smith, 11 McGhie, 10 Nelson, 9 McDonald; 1 Bartlett, 2 Skeldon, 3 Belisle, 4 McMillan, 5 Bonar, 6 Malcolm (captain), 7 McLachlan, 8 Gallagher.

Bench: 16 Martin, 17 Young, 18 Cockburn, 19 Wassell, 20 Donaldson, 21 Mattison, 22 Thomson, 23 Musgrove

There are plusses and minuses for the Scots. They welcome back Rhona Lloyd and Lisa Thomson from Sevens, but only Lloyd is picked as a starter. That is a sign of Scottish prosperity
in the centre.

It’s distinctly unusual to find Emma Wassell’s name missing from the second row, but once again it’s an encouraging sign that the first-choice team is no longer dependent on one or two outstanding individuals.

But the absence of Jade Konkel from No 8 can’t be covered up with fine words.

Spain

Juan Gonzalez has chosen a party of 24 to make the trip to Edinburgh. They are:

María del Castillo, Inés Antolínez, Marta Estellés, Cristina Blanco (captain), María de las Huertas Román, Sidorella Bracic, Laura Delgado, Anna Puig, Alba Capell, María Calvo, Olivia Fresneda, Carmen Castellucci, Bingbing Vergara, Maider Aresti, Inés Bueso-Inchausti, Zahía Pérez, Alba Vinuesa, Icíar Pozo, Amalia Argudo, Clara Piquero, Claudia Pérez, Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera, Vico Gorrocha Tegui. Leyre Bianchi.

It means that six of his WXV selection remain at home.

The squad is remarkable for its youth: an average age of 22. But this is part of a clear-headed approach; the management is aiming at three wins in WXV3 and an optimum achievement at the 2025 World Cup.

Their performance against a Six Nations team in Edinburgh will indicate how likely they are to overcome their strongest opponents in WXV3, Ireland.

Match details:

30 September, The Hive, Edinburgh, KO 17.45

They are:

María del Castillo (Olímpico Pozuelo), Inés Antolínez (El Salvador), Marta Estellés (CR Majadahonda), Cristina Blanco (Ealing Trailfinders), María de las Huertas Román (Universitario de Sevilla), Sidorella Bracic (Olímpico Pozuelo), Laura Delgado (Gloucester Hartpury), Anna Puig (UE Santboiana), Victoria Rosell (Abelles), Elena Martínez (Stade Rennais), Lourdes Alameda (AC Bobigny 93), Alba Capell (Stade Rennais), Nerea García (Éibar), María Calvo, Olivia Fresneda, Carmen Castellucci (Gloucester Hartpury), Julia Castro (Universitario de Sevilla), Bingbing Vergara (CR El Salvador), Maider Aresti (Getxo), Inés Bueso-Inchausti (CR Cisneros), Zahía Pérez (CR Majadahonda), Alba Vinuesa (Stade Français), Icíar Pozo (Crat Coruña), Sara Rodríguez (Barça Rugby), Amalia Argudo (Stade Toulousain), Clara Piquero (Lons), Claudia Pérez (CR Majadahonda), Tecla Masoko (CR El Salvador), Claudia Peña (Barça Rugby), Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera (CR Majadahonda)

Las Leonas have proved far too strong for all their opponents in the European Championship (most notably the Netherlands and Russia).

Now they have the chance to regain the territory they lost when they themselves were removed from the Six Nations in 2007.

The squad includes three players attached to English PWR clubs (Delgado, Blanco and Castellucci) and six from Elite 1 clubs in France.

They started training together in 24 September in Madrid. Before they fly out, they play Scotland in Edinburgh on 30 September. Only 24 of the full group will make this first trip. It will be a proper test of their current standing, facing a 6N side away from home.

The long-term aim will be to gain promotion to WXV2 at the earliest opportunity.

Their WXV Fixtures

v Kenya 14 October
v Fiji 20 October
v Ireland 28 October

All matches to be played in Dubai

Stadio Walter Beltrametti, Piacenza
22 July

This match takes its special place in history as the very last qualifier to decide the three tiers of the WXV. The winners gain the last available spot in WXV2, the losers go to WXV3.

If you have the gift of sympathy, you could direct it towards Las Leonas: we might call them the eternal bridesmaids. Cast out of the 6 Nations in 2007 at the whim of the 6N board, they have since become the almost permanent winners of the European Championship, where they record wins like 70-0 v Netherlands and 90-5 v Sweden. At least the WXV is designed to help nations like them to raise their profile. In stark contrast Le Azzurre have been assured of permanent high-class rugby in the 6N.

The gulf between the two teams lies principally in experience. While you may recognise plenty of names in the home team listed below, only a few of the Spaniards will be familiar. Patricia Garcia has retired; the captaincy passes to Cris Blanco who has recently moved from the defunct Wasps to Ealing Trailfinders. A previous captain, Laura Delgado, once of Exeter, now a champion with Gloucester-Hartpury, finds herself on the bench.

The head coach, Juan González, sets his sights high. He is sure his squad can take their place alongside other European sides like Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, headed only by France and England.

This isn’t quite a ‘winner-takes-all’, though it remains to be seen how large a gap will develop between the tiers and the six teams within each. At last Spain will have the chance of regular competition from across the world. It’s self-evident that the more they play, the better they will become.

Who knows? Perhaps one day they will be allowed back into the elite level of the Six Nations where they really belong.

For the Future:

The winners will meet Japan, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and USA in Cape Town.
The losers will meet Colombia, Fiji, Ireland, Kazakhstan and Kenya in Dubai.

Teams
Italy (world ranking 9th)

From: Gaia Buso*,Beatrice Capomaggi, Alice Cassaghi, Giulia Cavina*, Alyssa D’Incà, Giordana Duca, Valeria Fedrighi, Lucia Gai, Elisa Giordano, Francesca Granzotto, Laura Gurioli, Isabella Locatelli, Veronica Madia, Gaia Maris, Aura Muzzo, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Alessia Pilani*, Alissa Ranuccini, Beatrice Rigoni, Michela Sillari, Emanuela Stecca, Sofia Stefan, Emma Stevani, Sara Tounesi, Silvia Turani,Vittoria Vecchini
*uncapped
Head Coach: Giovanni Raineri

Spain (world ranking 13th)

Ines Antolinez, Cris Blanco (captain), Sidorella Bracic, Cristina Garcia, Elena Martinez, Maria Calvo, Alba Capell, Carmen Castellucci, Lucia Diaz, Zahia Perez, Clara Piquero, Maider Aresti, Alba Vinuesa, Claudia Perez, Ines Bueso

Bench: Marieta Roman, Maria Castillo, Laura Delgado, Sara Martori, Nerea Garcia, Julia Castro, Iciar Pozo, Sara Rodriguez
Head Coach: Juan González

Here are the four squads:

Spain

New Head Coach, Juan Gonzalez, has chosen the following 30 players:

Maria Miguel, Cristina Blanco, Sidorella Bracic, Maria del CastilloMaria de las Huertas Roman, Laura Delgado, Anna Puig, Kassandra Sylla, Carmen Castellucci, Alba Capell, Lucia Gayoso, Nerea Garcia, Maria del Mar Escusa, Lucia Diaz, Alba Alpin, Julia Castro, Zahia Perez, Maider Aresti, Alba Vinuesa, Cecilia Huarte, Ines Bueso-Inchausti, Vico Gorrocho Tegui, Cristina Garcia,
Martina Marquez, Claudia Pena, Clara Piquero, Ines Antonilez, Marta Carmona,Claudia Perez, Cristina Lopez (30)

This is the team that can claim to be Champions of Europe for the tenth time! England must stand back and admire!

USA

New Head Coach Rich Ashfield has selected these 30 players:

*Tiara A’au (Rhino Academy), Catie Benson (Sale Sharks), Maya Learned (Gloucester-Hartpury), Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs), *Mae Sagapolu (Central Washington), *Jett Hayward (Life West), Joanna Kitlinski (Sale Sharks), Kathryn Treder (Darlington Mowden Park), Evi Ashenbrucker (San Diego Surfers), Jenny Kronish (Harlequins), *Megan Neyen (Beantown), Alycia Washington (Sale Sharks), Tahlia Brody (Cheltenham Tigers), Rachel Ehrecke (Darlington Mowden Park), *Sophia Haley (Dartmouth), Rachel Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Georgie Perris-Redding (Sale Sharks), Kate Zackary (captain, Exeter Chiefs), Olivia Ortiz (Darlington Mowden Park), Carly Waters (Sale Sharks), *Kristin Bitter (Dartmouth), McKenzie Hawkins (Colorado Grey Wolves), Meya Bizer (Darlington Mowden Park), Gabby Cantorna (Exeter Chiefs), Eti Haungatau (Sale Sharks), Lotte Clapp (Saracens), *Autumn Czaplicki (Eagles Sevens), Tess Feury (Darlington Mowden Park),
*Summer Harris-Jones (Eagles Sevens), Bulou Mataitoga (Loughborough Lightning)
*uncapped

Rob Cain’s handiwork is plain to see here. No fewer than 20 Eagles now ply their trade in England. More figure among the non-travelling reserves.

The Eagles’ two tests show a marked difference; they play Spain for the very first time, the Maple Leafs for the umpteenth.

Canada

Kevin Rouet has announced this squad to play in Spain:

Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), Alexandria Ellis (Saracens), *Audrey Champagne (Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), *Cassandra Tuffnail Fergus Highland / Richmond / Brunel), Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans), DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs), Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs), Emma Taylor (Halifax), Fabiola Forteza (Stade Bordelais), *Fancy Bermudez (Westshore), Gillian Boag (Capilano), *Holly Phillips (Bristol Bears), Julia Schell (Guelph Redcoats / Castaway Wanderers), *Justine Blatt-Janmaat (Stade Bordelais), Laetitia Royer (ASM Romagnat), *Mahalia Robinson (TMR / Concordia Université), Marie-Pier Fauteux (Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval), Maya Montiel (University of Ottawa / Saracens), Paige Farries (Worcester Warriors), Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Renee Gonzalez (Westshore / University of Victoria), Sabrina Poulin (TMR / Eibar Rugby Taldea), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish / Westshore), Sara Svoboda (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah-Maude Lachance (Club de rugby de Québec / Lons Section Paloise), Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan), *Zoe Williams (Westshore / University of Victoria)
*uncapped

Unavailable:

Alysha Corrigan, Brianna Miller, Chloe Daniels, Elissa Alarie, Gabi Senft, Karen Paquin, Maddy Grant, McKinley Hunt, Mikiela Nelson, Olivia DeMerchant, Taylor Perry, Veronica Harrigan

That is a pretty serious list of missing persons, but Canadians are made of tough material. They must still be hot favourites to come out top of the competing quartet.

South Africa

Louis Koen has been appointed as interim head coach of the Springbok team for their tour to Spain. This is his first squad:

Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border), Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Unam Tose, Rumandi Potgieter, Jakkie Cilliers, *Byrhandre Dolf (Bulls Daisies), *Mary Zulu, Tayla Kinsey (Cell C Sharks), Nomawethu Mabenge (EP Queens), Chumisa Qawe, *Asiphe Mayaba, *Shaunique Hess (DHL Western Province), Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Lerato Makua, *Lebogang Ralebona, Lusanda Dumke, Yonela Ngxingolo, (Bulls Daisies), Lindelwa Gwala, Nompumelelo Mathe (Cell C Sharks Women), Sanelisiwe Charlie (EP Queens), *Vainah Ubisi (Mastercard Golden Lions), Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Azisa Mkiva, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Roseline Botes, *Luchell Hanekom, *Danelle Lochner (DHL Western Province), Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins), Catha Jacobs (Saracens).
*uncapped

The line-up includes eight new faces, of whom five have appeared in the Junior Springboks squad. They form part of the management’s glimpse of a possible 2025 World Cup selection.

Fixtures take place over two successive weekends (March 25 and April 1), all at the Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense, Madrid.

Best of luck to all the players.

Yankey also spoke on how Spain’s attack will threaten a so far untested England defence and Beth Mead’s Golden Boot potential. You can read the full column here.

On who should start for England Rachel Yankey said: “You look at [Alessia] Russo’s impact off the bench. The two headers in each game are fantastic but the touch and finish for her second against Northern Ireland, anyone would be proud of that. It was a great goal.

 “I would still start with Ellen White against Spain but it’s a team game and England have really good starters and finishers.

 “You could quite easily play Russo over White and she would do a fantastic job. Equally, I know Beth England hasn’t played a minute yet but she could quite easily come into this team. She’s really suited to our style of play with the way that the wingers get crosses in. I hope she gets an opportunity to get on the pitch to prove how good she is.”

Her view on on Spain’s attack testing England’s defence:  “The only worry for me at the moment is the fact that England haven’t really been tested at the back.

“Northern Ireland have probably done that the most and certainly had some opportunities. They broke away and found gaps in England’s defence. Against Spain, who are a team who love to play in between those gaps in defence and midfield, England need to make sure they are totally switched on – not that they haven’t been so far!”

And on Beth Mead going for Golden Boot:  “I know she will have eyes on the Golden Boot, but I hope she just keeps playing the way has been doing.

“She was always going to be a contender for the award because she’s a great finisher. But whatever her mindset was going into the tournament, I hope that doesn’t change because it’s been refreshing so far.

“Sometimes you can get distracted when people talk about breaking records and awards and it can put too much pressure on her. I just want to see her play and keep performing because she looks like she’s having fun out there, which is a real positive for England.”

Rachel Yankey was speaking to LiveScore. To read her full column, click here.

Lead photo shows Rachel Yankey, OBE posing for a photograph with her WSL Hall of Fame award at Wembley Stadium on September 29, 2021 in London, England.