Spain boosted as award-winning scrum-half returns for WXV Global Series Challenger

Spain head coach Régis Sonnes has named the Las Leonas squad that will travel to Hong Kong China for WXV Global Series Challenger.

There is a Test rugby return for Anne Fernández de Corres on the cards. The scrum-half has not represented her country in 15-a-side rugby since Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, and represented the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby Women’s earlier this year. During her time in Canberra she was named Helen Taylor Award for Women’s Player of the Year by the team.

Additionally, there are welcome returns to the squad for Alba Capell and Carmen Castellucci, who both missed the majority of the 2025/26 season with long-term injuries.

Ahead of her time in Australia, the 28-year-old told RugbyPass: “By leaving my comfort zone, I have experienced some growth and self-development.

“The way that Australian players work has helped me a lot, as they are far more talkative in training than I had experienced in Spain. They are always giving input and demanding that each one of us be aware of what we are doing at every second and minute.”

África Vílchez and Izar Casado have also been named in the squad and could make their Test debuts in September.

Las Leonas start their WXV Global Series Challenger campaign against Fiji on Sunday 13 September, before fixtures against Samoa and Brazil in the following fortnight. Spain will also play South Africa on Sunday 4 October in a crossover fixture.

Spain 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger squad

Maider Aresti (Getxo RT)
Eider Garcia (Getxo RT)
Naroa Azpitarte (Getxo RT)
Gemma Silva (Getxo RT)
Nuria Jou (UE Santboiana)
Ana Cortés (Complutense Cisneros)
Claudia Cano (Complutense Cisneros)
Victoria Rosell (Complutense Cisneros)
Claudia Pérez (Silicius Majadahonda)
Lea Ducher (Cajasol Sevilla Cocos)
Carmen Castellucci (RFER)
Valentina Pérez (Rugby Turia)
Lourdes Alameda (Rugby Turia)
Carmen Nwatu (CAU Valencia)
Inés Antolínez (CR El Salvador)
María Miguel (CR El Salvador)
Nerea García (CR El Salvador)
Beatriz Rivera (CR El Salvador)
Matilda Toca (CR El Salvador)
Sidorella Bracic (CR El Salvador)
Bingbing Vergara (CR El Salvador)
África Vílchez (CR El Salvador)
Amaia Erbina (CR El Salvador)
Amalia Argudo (Stade Toulousain)
Izar Casado I Graboleda (FCG Amazones)
Anne Fernández de Corres (ACT Brumbies)
Alba Capell (Sale Sharks)
Claudia Peña (Harlequins)