Let the revolution commence: Your whistle-stop tour of the opening weekend of WXV
‘A revolution in the women’s global game’, we’re told, by assets in Powerpuff Girl shades, as cartoon renderings of some of the sport’s biggest stars beam out at us from grids and timelines.
WXV is here: 18 teams, three tournaments, and a yearly opportunity for women’s rugby to dazzle on a planetary scale. A truly worldwide competition, which gets started this weekend, and feels the beginning of something very special.
It’s important to remember that this is ‘the beginning’ of the WXV era, because it’s certainly not perfect just yet. I’ve personally found the format only slightly less disorientating than Ulysses, and it’s kicking off during the business end of a men’s World Cup, which limits the resources available to it in almost every metric.
There are finite quantities of channel space, column inches, broadcasters, support staff, funding, and – critically – audience eyeballs, so this trailblazing competition can only really hope for a soft launch.
The indistinguishable-shot-of-a-new-partner-in-your-story sort of debut, rather than a collaborative snap on your mutual, loved-up profiles.
This weekend in France, we’ll probably enjoy at least one of the best World Cup quarter-finals of all time, and each and every fixture boasts jeopardy of Jurassic proportions. Fortunately, WXV organisers have been smart.
The big dogs of WXV1 don’t get underway for another week, when there’s less men’s action to vie with, and two thirds of the fixtures in South Africa (WXV 2) and Dubai (WXV 3) are taking place on Friday – seeking your undivided attention. They deserve it.
The two slated for Saturday are wrapped up before a ball’s even been kicked in France, so – if you don’t end the weekend at total rugby saturation – something’s gone horribly wrong.
Here’s an eve-of-the-tournament digital pamphlet for you. A chronological whistle-stop tour of all six matches.
WXV is almost here! Are you ready?
Starts 13th October 2023. Buy tickets- link in bio.#WXV #WXVRugby #Rugby pic.twitter.com/dKU2zVmWFI
— WXV (@WXVRugby) October 5, 2023
WXV 2: Italy vs Japan – Friday, 1pm UK time
This one sells itself – it really does. A moment in history, as the first match of the first WXV, and the sixth meeting of two ambitious, fearless sides, whose default setting is ‘attack’ – and whose last two clashes have been historic.
A year ago, the Azzurri extended their unbeaten record against the Sakura Fifteen in Pool B of the World Cup – and, in doing so, a ‘Golden Generation’ wrote their names into sporting legend by becoming the first Italian outfit – men’s or women’s – to reach the playoffs.
Elisa Giordano’s newly-professionalised squad impressed, as we all fell for Beatrice Rigoni’s sweet-chomping swashbuckle, and some talismanic servants of those famous blue jerseys hung up their boots after unprecedented success.
A fortnight ago, the Blossoms struck back in Parma – notching their first ever win over the hosts. A fresh-faced Italy looked shellshocked by Japan’s blistering start, and left themselves with far too much to do in the second half, as a missed conversion proved the difference.
24-25 to Lesley McKenzie’s Sakuras, which adds a little extra spice to proceedings this weekend, when Italy – who’ve recalled a few experienced campaigners – will look to reassert their dominance.
All eyes on Japan’s scrum half, fan favourite and 5-foot fizz of static, Megumi Abe – who’ll be making mischief at the heart of this curtain raiser.
WXV 3: Fiji vs Colombia – Friday 2pm UK time
Last October, Fiji versus South Africa proved one of the games of the tournament. One of the games of the year, in fact. 80 neck-and-neck minutes between two sides hurtling towards the finish line of a World Cup victory with the helter-skelter fever of a primary school 100-metre dash.
Fijiana triumphed in the most dramatic of finales, and really do entrance when they get it right: remember how spectacularly they flew from the blocks against the Red Roses? The Drua are back-to-back Super W champions, too: this is a force on the rise.
Colombia came within one victory of a spot in the World Cup, only to be dismantled by Scotland in Dubai last February. That was, incredibly, just their *fourth* ever test match, and first against a team above 18th in the rankings.
With WXV on the horizon, things have accelerated for Las Tucanes, who’ve since beaten Brazil four times, and only lost to Hong Kong by three points in a recent warm up. They’ve never faced Fiji before – nor Ireland – so the next few weeks will be invaluable.
WXV 2: South Africa vs Scotland – Friday 3:30pm UK time
What an opportunity for the Boks, who get to play all month long before a home crowd, and have spoken with such passion about their plans to capitalise on this platform. If enough show up to the Danie Craven Stadium, it could do wonders for the game in the region: any side led by Babalwa Latsha, and boasting the firepower of a fit-again Aseza Hele – who’ll put the ‘Bosch’ into ‘Stellenbosch’ all day long (sorry) – is sure attract new fans.
It cannot be overstated how significant this campaign could prove for Scotland. They snapped a twelve-match losing streak against Italy in April, at last transforming indubitable potential into a straight-up ‘dub’, and now have the opportunity make wins a regular occurrence. They won’t have it easy, but can beat every other side in Tier Two – and, if winning really is a habit, then this could prove a sea-change.
Oh – and they’ve named a McGhie-Rollie-Lloyd back three, which is pure sizzle.
WXV 3: Ireland vs Kazakstan – Friday 4:30pm UK time
It’s been a torrid few years for the Irish women’s programme. Absent from the World Cup, and thumped to the base of the Six Nations table – as the waves of off-field negativity looked to add to the pressure upon those on it.
WXV offers a precious clean slate to a side who’ve not won in a year, who’ve a new coach in Scott Bemand, and who’ve an average age of just 23. Ireland don’t want to be in WXV 3, but – for now – this feels just the environment they need.
They’ll need to hit the ground running, as Kazakstan lead their head-to-head by three wins to two, and are piling resources into their 15s set up after a couple of cycles focussing on 7s. There’s a core group training full time together, with the ultimate goal a return to the World Cup in 2025, and this a key stepping stone in that journey.
For a brilliant deep dive into The Nomads ahead of WXV, look no further than this from ScrumQueens.
WXV 2: USA vs Samoa – Saturday 1pm UK time
The question is: can the USA finally perform as the sum of their parts? The talent is there – the scything Kate Zackary; the bunchied, beaming tackle bot that is Rachel Johnson; the prodigious Eti Haungatau; the intrepid, teflon-coated Bulou Mataitoga; and the cheat code that is Georgie Perris-Redding – but the performances often fall short of all that these individuals promise.
Interim Head Coach Milton Haig has the raw materials of a WXV 1 squad, and a trio of WXV 2 tests to develop some cohesion.
Samoa haven’t featured in a World Cup for almost a decade, and might be arriving under the radar, but that’s just how they like it. The newly-crowned queens of Oceana beat Fiji to their first championship in June – and their skipper, Sui Pauaraisa, noted how much they’d relished their underdogs’ free hit. Watch out, Stellenbosch.
WXV 3: Spain vs Kenya – Saturday 2pm UK time
Sometimes niche, esoteric environments are a little daunting – the stomach butterflies are always at their most agitated when you don’t know anyone at the party – but don’t let the unknown put you off when it comes to this tournament.
Get stuck into the match-ups like Spain versus Kenya, discuss them, learn about them, and find the players and storylines which give you little footholds on the clamber towards enjoyment.
Most of us couldn’t name more than a handful of the Portuguese men’s side until last month, and I’d now probably buy a Mike Tadjer oil on canvas. What an opportunity this is to find new favourites within the women’s game.
WXV 2 and 3 will throw together sides we’ve hardly seen, in combinations we’ve never encountered, and that’s only a good thing: think of the exposure and experience they’re gaining, of the club coaches and scouts who’ll see them in action, and how much better the 2025 World Cup will be for all of this.
For all of those reasons, Las Leonas vs the Lionesses is the perfect way to round off this historic sextet, and tucks into your Saturday beautifully ahead of events in France. Let the pastel revolution commence.
Comments on RugbyPass
Will be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
41 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
41 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
41 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
41 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
41 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
41 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
41 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
41 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
41 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to comments