WXV Global Series 2026: Week 2 talking points

Well. That was brilliant. WXV Global Series 2026 is very much living up to expectations. Last weekend proves that beyond doubt.

On the second weekend of Test matches across Europe, we saw England held steady by Canada. Ireland could not stop the USA from registering an upset. Wales started their autumn with a bang against the Springbok Women. France overcame a frustrating first half. The Black Ferns kept their winning streak alive. And Italy picked up an impressive win against the Sakura Fifteen.

But, enough of the recap, here are all the talking points from week two of WXV Global Series 2026…

England’s winning streak is over

Yes, you read that right. England’s 39-game winning streak is over. Ended by a thrilling 26-26 draw with Canada in a repeat of the two teams’ Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final a year prior.

There has been a sense that these three games with Canada could be the end of England’s four-year winning run. For it to have ended in game one of the Test series, with games still to be played in Toronto and Ottawa, sets the next month up perfectly.

As Canada scrum-half Olivia Apps told RugbyPass in the lead-up to the fixture, “everything we do this year is to beat England”. It was her try in the 58th minute – and Sophie de Goede’s conversion – that ultimately tied the game up.

Of course, saying that England’s 39-game winning streak is over is deliberately provocative. The world champions are still 40 games unbeaten and have now welcomed Shaun Edwards into the coaching staff on a short-term consultancy basis ahead of the Black Ferns’ trip to Allianz Stadium.

Ending their home run of WXV Global Series on a high will be paramount for England, while Canada meet France in La Rochelle. For Kévin Rouet’s team, they will be emboldened by their efforts in Devon.

Again, the North Americans have proven they can run with the Red Roses. This October they get two more shots at taking down the world champions. The same team that dashed their Women’s Rugby World Cup dreams. And, you have to think that Canada have that sort of performance in them.

There is never a normal weekend

Last weekend saw one of the most dazzling displays of women’s Test rugby. Everywhere you looked, there were reasons to be excited.

It all started with Wales’ Friday night dismantling of South Africa and concluded with the USA Women’s Eagles’ comeback win over Ireland at Tallaght Stadium. Woven in between was that Red Roses draw, Italy’s impressive win in Plinio Sciamanna’s first game as head coach and the Black Ferns continuing life under Whitney Hansen unbeaten with a 66-14 win over Scotland in Edinburgh.

That is all before we talk about the goings-on in Aix-en-Provence. Despite being reduced to 11 players at one stage in the first half – during which time Ambre Mwayembe received a 20-minute red card and Cloe Correa received a straight red card – François Ratier’s team were 19-12 down at the break. Which in itself is impressive.

If that first half was not enough, the second half continued to deliver drama. A bus fire outside the ground meant the second 40 minutes were delayed, and France Rugby posted on X:

“We are handling the situation. It was the tires of the vehicle that exploded but the firefighters are managing the fire.”

Somehow, despite having players shown a yellow or a red card, France managed to register a 29-16 win. At full-time, Ratier did not mince his words: “I think the girls gave it everything to win that game. But it’s not enough. Discipline hurts. Many things hurt. I can be happy about the result. Not the way we played.”

Australia, meanwhile, will lament the missed opportunity to get one over on France. A team they have had a good recent record against. Still, another weekend beckons, and Scotland in Edinburgh await.

Wales versus USA is now must-watch

Ahead of WXV Global Series, Wales hosting the USA at Cardiff Arms Park this Saturday seemed like a good Test for both teams. Now, with both teams having picked up wins over the weekend, it is one of the most intriguing fixtures of the weekend.

Both teams have moved up places in the World Rugby rankings. This sees the Eagles move up to sixth, while Wales are now placed 11th. Massive leaps after two surprising performances to kick-start each team’s WXV Global Series campaign.

It was the manner in which both teams won their games that was so impressive. From the kick-off against South Africa, it was clear that this Wales team, after a long preseason, seemed to be on the same page, all reading from the same game plan and executing it brilliantly.

As for the Eagles, who Jack Hanratty has tinkered with all season, they absorbed some heavy traffic before overcoming a 19-point deficit to claim a 40-36 win in front of a Dublin crowd. It was a frankly brilliant display. Now we get to see these two surprise packages fight it out on Saturday in the Welsh capital.

Amid a block of fixtures in which every week is throwing up mouthwatering fixtures, Wales’ meeting with the Eagles has easily become one of the most fascinating.

2026 WXV Global Series results | September

Week 1

• England 48-15 Australia
• Canada 64-26 Scotland
• New Zealand 28-14 France

Week 2

• Wales 50-19 South Africa
• Italy 55-21 Japan
• England 26-26 Canada
• France 29-26 Australia
• Scotland 14-66 New Zealand
• Ireland 36-40 USA

2026 WXV Global Series fixtures | September

Week 3

• Saturday 26 September, Italy v South Africa, 13:30 (GMT+2)
• Saturday 26 September, England v New Zealand, 15:00 (GMT+1)
• Saturday 26 September, Wales v USA, 15:00 (GMT+1)
• Saturday 26 September, Scotland v Australia, 16:10 (GMT+1)
• Saturday 26 September, France v Canada, 16:45 (GMT+2)
• Sunday 27 September, Ireland v Japan, 12:45 (GMT+1)