What is WXV?

In 2023, World Rugby launched a brand-new tournament, WXV. The competition involves the top 16 nations in women’s rugby, split into three divisions.

Scotland secured their spot in the second tier of the competition, WXV 2, after finishing fourth in the recent 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations championship.

WXV aims to transform the international landscape, with the tournament providing a cohesive pathway for all unions and a competitive qualification route towards an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025.

What happened in WXV 2 2023?

Scotland were victorious!

Scotland enjoyed three wins out of three games at the WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town, beating South Africa, USA and Japan.

The final standings came down to points difference with Italy, in which Scotland came out on top to claim the title, meaning Scotland will be looking to defend their title.

Where is WXV 2 hosted?

Cape Town in South Africa will play host to the six-team WXV 2 competition with matches being played in a cross-pool format.

Scotland’s first match will be played at DHL Stadium, followed by rounds two and three, hosted at Athlone Stadium.

Who are Scotland’s opposition?

Scotland will play against Italy, Japan and Australia during the competition.

Although not playing against them, Scotland will be in contest for the title against Wales and South Africa too.

Italy v Scotland, DHL Stadium, Saturday 28 September, kick-off 2pm (BST)
Japan v Scotland, Athlone Stadium, Saturday 5 October, kick-off 1pm (BST)
Australia v Scotland, Athlone Stadium, Saturday 12 October, kick-off 4pm (BST)

Where to watch

Watch all three of Scotland’s WXV 2 matches live on BBC iPlayer or via rugbypass.tv, and keep up with live coverage on Scottish Rugby’s social media channels at match centre via scottishrugby.org.

Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification

The final opportunity to qualify for RWC 2025 will come via WXV, with the top six ranked non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 qualifying for the tournament.

The draw for RWC 2025 will take place once WXV has completed in October to ensure all qualified teams are known.

10 teams have qualified already for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

As the host nation for RWC 2025, England have automatically qualified for the tournament, with Canada, France and New Zealand also securing direct qualification to the pinnacle event after finishing in the top four at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand (played in 2022).

Ireland qualified after placing third in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024 with South Africa also claiming their spot after finishing top of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.

USA beat Australia in the Pacific Four Series to claim qualification in May and June 2024 saw two further teams qualify with Fiji topping the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship and Japan placing top of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.

Brazil were the most recent to claim their place for RWC 2025 after beating Colombia in the Sudamerica play-off.