Spain name 36-player squad as WXV Global Series Challenger preparation ramps up

A 36-player Las Leonas squad has been named as preparations for the WXV Global Series Challenger commence.

Regis Sonnes – who led Spain to a Rugby Europe Women’s Championship title in his first campaign as head coach – will see his team play Fiji, Samoa and Brazil across three consecutive weekends in Hong Kong China.

The squad includes scrum-half Anne Fernández de Corres. This season the 28-year-old turned out for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby Women’s and claimed the team’s Helen Taylor Award for Women’s Player of the Year at the conclusion of her debut season in Canberra.

JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby regulars Claudia Peña [Harlequins], Cristina Blanco [Trailfinders Women] and Alba Capell [Sale Sharks] have all been named in Sonnes’ squad. Ex-Sale Sharks and Gloucester Hartpury lock Carmen Castellucci has also been named in the squad after her exit from the North West.

Anael Fernández, Lia Piñeiro, Amalia Argudo and Estrella Gago, who all play their club rugby in AXA Élite 1, will also join the camp in Soustons, France.

This September will see the first edition of the WXV Global Series Challenger take place. It is an important early step for Spain as they hope to gain Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 qualification.

Tournament hosts, Australia, as well as England, Canada, France and New Zealand have already gained qualification for the tournament in two years’ time. Eight more teams will qualify for the tournament by the end of 2027. Two more places will be determined by World Rugby rankings.

The final qualifier will be announced at the WXV Global Series Challenger tournament hosted in 2028.

Spain training squad for WXV Global Series Challenger

Maider Aresti
Éider García
Naroa Azpitarte
Gemma Silva
Nuria Jou
Leire Aguilar
Mireia de Andrés
Ana Cortés
Claudia Cano
Carmen Castellucci
Victoria Rosell
Claudia Pérez
Lea Ducher
Valentina Pérez
Cristina López
Anael Fernández
Lourdes Alameda
Carmen Nwatu
Inés Antolinez
María Miguel
Sidorella Bracic
Amaia Erbina
Tecla Masoko
Matilda Toca
Belsay Escudero
África Vílchez
Nerea García
Bingbing Vergara
Lia Piñeiro
Amalia Argudo
Estrella Gago
Anne Fernández de Corres
Alba Capell
Cristina Blanco
Claudia Peña