Scotland and Ireland’s Women’s teams were both in action last weekend, during the opening weekend of the inaugural WXV global tournament. This three-tier competition is split across New Zealand, South Africa and Dubai, with Scotland seeded into WXV2 and Ireland slotting into WXV3.
Scotland faced South Africa and Ireland took on Kazakstan, to kick-start their maiden voyages into the newly formed competition. Both home nations sides secured confident victories, and put their best foot forward for the remainder of the tournament.
WXV2: Scotland vs South Africa
Scotland took on WXV2 hosts South Africa in Stellenbosch, and recorded a strong 31-17 win to kick-start their competition. Three first half Scotland tries saw back-rower Evie Gallagher cross over to score, and hooker Lana Skeldon grab a brace before the break. South Africa responded with a try from Harlequins superstar Aseza Hele, and fly half Janse van Rensburg added the conversion.
The 17-10 half-time lead was promptly extended, as Scotland grabbed a 55th minute bonus point when loose-head prop Leah Bartlett grounded a rolling maul. Replacement half-back Meryl Smith extended the lead from the tee to 24-10, with some neat sharpshooting. With 16 minutes left on the clock, the Springboks Women forced Scotland back with a maul of their own, with Roseline Botes grounding the try, and van Rensburg cutting the match down to just 24-17.
Just as South Africa looked to be lining up a late comeback, Scotland scored a breakaway try to seal the victory. Inside-centre Lisa Thomson curtailed any ‘Boks hopes of victory, as she exploaded down-field to score a 76th minute winner. Smith converted to wrap up a nice victory for Scotland, as they got one over on the hosts in their first ever WXV contest.
WXV3: Ireland vs Kazakhstan
After a winless run out in the 2023 Women’s Six Nations, Ireland recorded their first victory of the calendar year in truly emphatic style. Ireland had the bonus point win wrapped up comfortably within the first half, in this landslide win which ended 109-0 against Kazakhstan. It took just over a minute of play before Ireland found the break-through, as tight-head prop Christy Haney scored the opener.
The tries followed in quick succession, as fullback Meabh Dealey, and former Ireland Sevens star Eve Higgins built up the try tally. Loose-head prop Linda Djougang powered over the line for the fourth Irish try, before Player of the Match Beibhinn Parsons added the fifth after a 13 minute halt in the scoring.
A collapsed rolling maul opened space for Irish space, as Higgins secured her brace and Ireland’s sixth, before Leinster scrum-half Molly Scuffil-McCabe and flanker Grace Moore added two more tries to the relentless fray. Dannah Kearney O’Brien landed 5 conversions to put the Irish team 50 points up at half-time.
Aoife Dalton was next over the try-line, with replacement fly-half Nicole Fowley taking up conversion duties. Another Sevens star in Brittany Hogan then took centre stage, as she exploited the space in the defensive line to score, with Kazakhstan hindered by two yellow cards. Parsons crossed over for her second, third and fourth tries in quick succession, with Dalton interrupting her show-stealing performance to add her second. A rolling maul then gave 18-year-old Sarah Delaney her first try, and a fourth for Higgins carried Ireland over the 100-point mark.
WXV1: England and Wales in Action this Weekend
England and Wales begin their WXV1 campaign this weekend, as the top tier of the tournament gets ignited with an exciting round of action. The Red Roses are first up, and look to maintain their winning form after back-to-back test victories over Canada, and the 2023 Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam. England take on Australia, in what will be a challenging run out against the Wallaroos.
Australia are seeking a return to form after just one win in their past four matches, with their last victory coming against the United States in the Pacific Four Series. The Wallaroos have talented players in the ranks, including a trio of Harlequins Women’s stars, as Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Leaney and Bella McKenzie are set for a re-union with England’s Quins stars, including flying fullback Ellie Kildunne. This match marks the beginning of a new era of England Women’s Rugby, as it is the first match in charge for new Head Coach John Mitchell.
Mitchell comes in after finishing up his duties as Defence Coach of Japan, with the Brave Blossoms sent packing out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. England fans need to set their alarms for this match, as the action kicks off in Wellington at 07:00am UK Time this Friday 20th October.
Wales then begin their WXV1 campaign on Saturday, with fans of the Red Dragons needing to set an even earlier alarm to be up for kick-off. Wales take on Canada with a 04:00am UK kick-off time, with Wales eager to impress, having achieving top tier qualification after a third-placed finish in the 2023 Women’s Six Nations. Star player Sisilia Tuipulotu is out to make a statement, and lead her side to their first win in the new tournament.
All of England and Wales’ WXV1 matches will be shown live on ITVX.