World Rugby, the International Federation, formalized on Friday the launch of WXV, a “new international competition aimed at increasing the competitiveness, reach and impact of elite women’s rugby”, which begins in October and brings together eighteen selections divided into three divisions.
“WXV has a clear mission: to raise the profile and competitiveness of women’s rugby union with the establishment of a global platform between Rugby World Cups to increase the reach, impact and value of the sport. , developing the game as a whole,” explained World Rugby.
“Importantly, this will double the number of annual international fixtures for most competing teams (…) to raise the bar to Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond,” added the club. governing body.
Les Bleues will thus compete in WXV 1. This “first world division” includes the three best teams of the Women’s Six Nations Tournament (England, France, Wales) to which will be added the three best teams of the Pacific Four Series, played this summer between New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States.
The Land of the Long White Cloud, host country of the World Cup-2021 won by the Black Ferns, will host the best teams in the world of WXV 1, during three weekends of matches, October 21 and 28, as well as the 4 november.
The WXV 2 takes place in South Africa, with two European teams (Scotland and the winner of the Italy-Spain play-off), the fourth team from the Pacific Four Series as well as an African team, another Asian and a final Oceanian.
The WXV 3 will bring together two teams from Europe (Ireland and Spain or Italy) and one respectively from Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America.
“This competition will increase the reach and impact of the sport and boost the overall competitiveness of women’s international rugby, with a view to an expanded Rugby World Cup to sixteen teams in 2025 in England and subsequent World Cups in Australia in 2029 and in the United States in 2033”, assured Bill Beaumont, the president of World Rugby.