WXV3: Will Fiji upset the Europeans?

While the headlines for WXV (WXV explained) will come from WXV1, it is really for the teams in WXV3 that this tournament has been created. 

For the four non-European teams, it is a massive step. They will get not just get the chance to play Ireland or Spain, but will finally have regular test matches, and against teams from outside their region.

And for a bit of jeapody, the team finishing bottom will have to play off against the Netherlands to keep their place in WXV 2024.

Ireland

World Ranking: 11^th 
Results since World Cup: P5 L 5
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Kazakhstan P5 W2 L3; v Colombia No previous meetings; v Spain P10 W4 L6

Ireland qualified for WXV3 by ending last in this year's Six Nations.

After a disappointing 6N championship, which came on the back of missing the last World Cup, WXV3 gives Ireland a chance to return to winning ways.

It also gives them a chance to win a tournament where they start as favourites, and a chance to avenge their loss to Spain in the World Cup qualifier two years ago.

Ireland’s last test win was back in August 2022 against Japan and since then they have slipped to 11^th in the rankings – now one place behind Japan.

New Irish coach Scott Bernard has selected a squad with an average age of just 23. 

Having only been in the role since August 21, he admitted: “It’s been fast and furious but immensely enjoyable. Obviously, I’d been in a previous environment (as lead coach and attack coach with the England Women’s team) for eight years. 

“I guess the opportunity that we’ve got with some of the teams that we’re playing [in WXV], it allows us to compete, to learn what our playing identity, what our training identity is, but it also allows us the importance to discover who’s next, what talent is coming through the Irish pathway. I actually think some of the girls that we’ve named in the squad will go on to become big, big players for us, as early as next year. It kind of gives you the opportunity to unearth it and develop it. Bring them inside the circle, as it were.”

Forwards: Aoife Wafer, Brittany Hogan, Christy Haney, Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Eimear Corri, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Linda Djougang, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Megan Collis, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Sarah Delaney.

Backs: Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Aoife Doyle, Béibhinn Parsons, Clara Barrett, Dannah O’Brien, Eve Higgins, Katie Whelan, Leah Tarpey, Méabh Deely, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Nicole Fowley, Natasja Behan.

Spain

World Ranking: 13^th  
Results since World Cup: P8 W2 L6
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Kenya No previous meetings; v Fiji No previous meetings; v Ireland P10 W6 L4

Spain qualified for WXV3 by winning the Rugby Europe Championship.

Spain are rebuilding after their failure to qualify for the last World Cup and have had a tough year slipping in the rankings with their only test wins coming against Netherlands and Sweden in the European Championship, a tournament they tend to win with some ease each year. 

They have lost to higher ranked opposition, although they put in a very good performance against the USA.

WXV3 will be a big step into the unknown with new opposition in Kenya and Fiji, before what should be the tournament decider against Ireland

Spanish captain Cristina Blanco is clear that they want to leave there "with as many victories as possible; if we win them all then do much the better". The tournament also has the benefit of keeping the squad together in high quality training for a month before the contest. Coach Juan González added that "this championship is so important, beyond the final result. Next year the outcome will be key because a place at the World Cup will be at stake. But at the moment, this year, it is about the development, growth and maturation of a group of players that, remember, right now has an average age of only 22 years".

Forwards: María del Castillo, Inés Antolínez, Marta Estellés, Cristina Blanco, Marieta Román, Sidorella Bracic, Laura Delgao, Mireia de Andrés, Anna Puig, Leyre Bianchi, Lourdes Alameda, Carmen Castellucci, Alba Capell, Nerea García, María Calvo, Vico Gorrochategui, Beatriz Rivera.

Backs: Julia Castro, Bingbing Vergara, Maider Aresti, Inés Bueso-Inchausti, Zahia Pérez, Alba Vinuesa, Icíar Pozo, Amalia Argudo, Clara Piquero, Claudia Pérez, Tecla Masoko, Claudia Peña, Jimena Blanco Hortiguera.

Kazakhstan

World Ranking: 18^th 
Results since World Cup:  P4 W1 L3
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Ireland P5 W3 L2; v Kenya No previous meetings; v Fiji No previous meetings

Kazakhstan qualified for WXV3 as runners-up in the Asian Championship.

Kazakhstan have a proud history of fifteens rugby, attending every World Cup from 1994 to 2014. But after missing the 2017 World Cup, and then 2021 because of a decision to concentrate on sevens, they are rebuilding their test team almost from the ground up.

Their win against Hong Kong in the Asian Championship was therefore a big step forward in the regaining their previous position in Asian and world rugby, and WXV3 will be crucial in their attempts to rise further.

Forward Karina Sazontova will captain Kazakhstan at WXV 3 in Dubai and prop Yelena Yurova, who scored two tries in the Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2023 win against Hong Kong China that ultimately confirmed Kazakhstan's place in WXV, has also been included, but young winger Amina Tulegenova has made a blistering start to her Test career, scoring three tries in her first four matches.

Forwards: Karina Sazontova (captain), Darya Simakova, Natalya Kamendrovskaya, Symbat Zhamankulova, Yelena Yurova, Karina Tankisheva, Irina Balabina, Moldir Askhat, Balzhan Akhbayeva, Kuralay Turalykova, Yuliya Oleinikova, Anna Chebotar, Ivanova Lyudmila, Dadajanova Tatyana, Xeniya Chertova, Svetlana Malezhina.

Backs: Rigina Bainazarova, Daiana Kazibekova, Daria Kuznetsova, Kundyzay Baktybayeva, Liliya Kibisheva, Darya Tkachyova, Eva Bekker, Tatyana Kruchinkina, Milana Kotova, Anastassiya Yevdokimova, Milana Alayeva, Alyona Melnikova, Kamila Alseitova, Gulim Bakytpek.

Fiji

World Ranking: 19^th 
Results since World Cup: P6 W2 L4
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Ireland, Kazakhstan Kenya - No previous meetings

Fiji qualified for WXV3 as Oceania runners-up

They are the only team in WXV3 to have played in the last World Cup, where they beat South Africa, so it was a surprise when they lost a nail-biting Oceania Championship final to Samoa.

Playing in Australia’s Super W for the last two seasons has done wonders for the development of the Fijiana, while the World Cup heroics massively boosted the profile of the fifteens team at home. 

They pushed Japan all the way in two tests last month (losing 24-29 and 36-41) and could prove a handful for higher ranked Ireland and Kazakhstan.

Coach Inoke Male has included five uncapped players in the squad - Penina Turova, Mary Kanace, Iva Sauira, Una Lalabalavu and Loraini Senivutu  that will be captained by Bitila Tawake, who is making her return to rugby following a short break. Male said: "We have a cohesive and determined group, and our primary focus is to make a significant impact in Dubai."

Tighthead prop, Siteri Rasolea will be one to watch after her memorable performances at the World Cup, especially her bullocking run to assist the winning try against South Africa

Squad: Bitila Tawake, Salanieta Nabuli, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Penina Turova, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Unaisi Lalabalavu, Ana Korovata, Doreen Narokete, Nunia Daunimoala, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa, Sereima Leweniqila, Mereoni Nakesa, Teresia Tinanivalu, Evivi Senikarivi, Salanieta Kinita, Vani Arei, Wainikiti Vosadrau, Adita Milinia, Adi Fulori Rotagavira, Merewai Cumu, Rusila Nagasau, Setaita Railumu, Jennifer Goodsir Ravutia, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna, Luisa Tisolo, Mary Kanace, Iva Sauira

Kenya

World Ranking: 23^rd 
Results since World Cup: P5 W3 L2
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Spain No previous meeting, v Kazakhstan No previous meeting; v Colombia P1 L1

Kenya qualified for WXV3 as Rugby Africa Division One runners-up.

WXV3 will be the first time Kenya have played test rugby outside Africa and only the second time they will have played non-African opposition (the first being their 15-16 loss to Colombia in the World Cup qualifier in 2021). 

So, this tournament is massive for them. 

How they will perform against the hugely more experienced Spanish and Kazakhstani teams is impossible to predict, though the relative performance of themselves and Spain against South Africa this year suggests that they may struggle, but will gain a great deal

A player to watch for is centre Grace Okulu. In Kenya’s crucial qualification match Madagascar, it was Okulu who broke the deadlock, her two first-half tries setting the Lionesses on their way to a crucial 29-20 win.

Squad: Rose Otieno, Knight Otwoma, Natasha Emali, Helsa Khisa, Faith Livoi, Enid Ouma (captain), Diana Kemunto, Naomi Jelagat, Winnie Owino, Ann Goretti, Angel Charity Juma, Laureen Akoth, Priscah Nyerere, Freshia Awino, Diana Omoso, Naomi Muhanji, Evelyn Kalamera, Mercy Migingo, Stacy Atieno, Michelle Akinyi, Edith Nariaka, Jiveti Daisy Osore, Lewin Amazimbi, Valentine Otieno, Maureen Chebet, Grace Okulu, Judith Okumu, Phoebe Akinyi, Terry Ayesa, Sharon Auma.
*Note: Grace Okulu, Judith Okumu, Phoebe Akinyi, Terry Ayesa, Sharon Auma all won't be available for the first WXV game as they'll be in Tunisia for the Olympics 7s qualifier. They'll join the rest of the squad straight after the 7s.

Colombia

World Ranking: 25^th 
Results since World Cup: P5 W4 L1
Record against WXV3 opponents: v Fiji No previous meeting; v Ireland No previous meeting; v Kenya P1 W1

Colombia qualified by beating Brazil in a playoff. 

They are not officially the South American champions as Sud America Rugby did not give the playoff that status (but even so only they and Brazil currently play test rugby in South America).

Colombia played their first test match as recently as 2019 but hit the ground running with an unbeaten streak that saw wins against Brazil, Kenya and Kazakhstan before falling to Scotland (3-59) just one game away from the World Cup.

That Scotland game was Colombia’s only test defeat until yesterday's 31-28 warm-up lss to Hong Kong, and their commitment to fifteens was reflected in their prioritisation of this tournament over the recent South American Sevens.

However, of their ten test matches to date, six have been against Brazil, so WXV3 gives them a chance to develop and play against more teams from around the world.

Can they match the heroics of that run that almost took them to the 2021 World Cup? They are certainly not here to make up the numbers and their game against Kenya in particular promises to be an exciting battle, perhaps with the risk of relegation to add spice.

A key player may be centre Leidy Soto whose elusive running to score a hat-trick of tries and help Las Tucanes confirm a 54-42 aggregate victory in the qualifier against Brazil.

Squad: Camila Cardona, Carolina Naranjo, Daniela Roman, Tatiana Delgado, Gisel Gómez, Leidy Garcia, María Cortes, Natalia Caycedo, Velentina Yepes, Angie Manyoma, Tatiana Hernandez, Paola Delgado, Sara Vélez, Silvia Olave, Sofía Granados, Camila Lopera, Isabel Ramirez, Juliana Soto, Laura Gutierrez, Maribel Mestra, Melisa Rios, Stefanía Sarmiento, Valentina Álvarez, Valeria Cuartas, Ángela Alzate, Luisa Zurique, María Arzuaga, Andrea Ramirez, Natalia Barajas, Alejandra Villota.

Fixtures

Match weekend 2

Match weekend 3