Wales and South Africa kick off the second weekend of the WXV Global Series in Cardiff on Friday night, before Italy and Japan start their challenges in Pordenone on Saturday afternoon.
England will then meet Canada in Exeter in a repeat of last year's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final, France host Australia in Aix-en-Provence, and Scotland face New Zealand in Edinburgh. A busy weekend of women's international rugby concludes in Dublin on Sunday, when Ireland face the USA.
Wales v South Africa
Five years after their last encounter, Wales and South Africa meet for just the ninth time in their history on Friday at Cardiff Arms Park to kick-off the second round of the WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric.
Back then, Wales overcame a relentless challenge by the Springbok Women to win 29-19 at the same venue.
The home side's head coach Sean Lynn has made several changes from Wales' last outing, with Lisa Neumann moving to full-back in a reshuffled backline, while Alex Callender, who missed the entire 2026 Women's Six Nations, returns to the backrow, alongside Kate Williams and Bryonie King.
Seren Lockwood and Keira Bevan will pair up in the halfbacks, with the latter moving out to 10, while regular fly-half Lleucu George is among the replacements.
Winger Amy Williams will earn her first senior test cap on the wing, after scoring a brace on her representative debut in Wales' win over the Barbarians in June. The squad includes two more possible debutants, with front-rowers Shanelle Williams and Elan Jones poised to come on after the break.
South Africa co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt have also made a few tactical changes after the match against the Black Ferns two weeks ago. Slick midfield duo Aphiwe Ngwevu and Maceala Samboya will target the Welsh defensive set-up, while Logan Welman starts in the middle of the backrow, and stalwart number-eight Aseza Hele is set to give the visitors a power boost in the second half.
Wales (15-9; 1-8): Lisa Neumann; Seren Singleton, Courtney Knight, Freya Bell, Amy Williams; Keira Bevan, Seren Lockwood; Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams (co-capt), Alex Callender (co-capt), Bryonie King. Replacements: Shanelle Williams, Gwenllian Pyrs, Elan Jones, Gwen Crabb, Jorja Aiono, Alisha Joyce, Lleucu George, Jenna de Vera.
South Africa: Byrhandré Dolf; Maria Tshiremba, Maceala Samboya, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga; Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Felicia Jacobs; Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, Babalwa Latsha (capt); Vainah Ubisi, Danelle Lochner, Sizophila Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, Logan Welman. Replacements: Micke Gunter, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nomsa Mokwai, Aseza Hele, Sinelitha Noxeke, Jakkie Cilliers, Patience Mokone.
Italy v Japan
Italy host Japan at Stadio Omero Tognon, with head coach Plinio Sciamanna opting to field an experienced line-up featuring Silvia Turani, Vittoria Minuzzi, Sofia Stefan, Francesca Sgorbini and Giordana Duca. Alyssa D'Inca shifts back to the centres, while Sofia Stefan and Emma Stevanin team up in the halfbacks.
Silvia Turani will be one of the leading voices in an experienced pack, assisted by number eight Francesca Sgorbini, second-row Giordana Duca and hooker Vittoria Vecchini. Laura Foscato and Natascia Aggio, meanwhile, could earn their first caps off the bench.
On the other side of the halfway line, the Sakura Fifteen head into the clash with a competitive squad despite the absence of several of their biggest stars. Among those missing from the 23 are prop Sachiko Kato, former captain and backrow Iroha Nagata, and utility back Ayasa Ōtsuka.
Nonetheless, recently appointed head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa can still call upon a talented 23, with captain and scrum-half Moe Tsukui and fly-half Sawa Harada providing the foundation for Japan's attacking game. Number eight Jennifer Nduka is also set to play a crucial part in helping her side gain post-contact metres, having already made a big impact in the 2026 Asia Rugby Women's Championship.
The two nations have faced each other seven times to date, with Italy coming out on top on six occasions. Japan’s single win was in September 2023, when they stunned the Azzurre 25-24 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Italy (15-9; 1-8): Vittoria Minuzzi (capt); Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D'Incà, Sara Mannini, Francesca Granzotto; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Vittoria Zanette; Alessandra Frangipani, Giordana Duca, Margherita Tonellotto, Alissa Ranuccini, Francesca Sgorbini. Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Laura Foscato, Alessia Pilani, Giulia Cavina, Beatrice Veronese, Alia Bitonci, Beatrice Rigoni, Natascia Aggio.
Japan: Maiko Nishi; Sora Nishimura, Haruka Hirotsu, Mana Furuta, Komachi Imakugi; Sawa Harada, Moe Tsukui; Hinata Komaki, Asuka Kuge, Wako Kitano; Masami Kawamura, Yuna Sato, Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai, Jennifer Nduka. Replacements: Moe Nagaoka, Nami Yoshida, Juka Fuji, Otoka Yoshimura, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Anan Seo, Kanna Hayashi, Uta Kataoka.
England v Canada
A repeat of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final between the sides ranked first and third in the world who both opened their WXV Global Series campaigns with - in the end - comfortable victories. There’s nothing not to like about England v Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park, the first of three scheduled meetings between now and the end of October.
Women's Rugby World Cup-winning duo Jess Breach and Alex Matthews return for England as head coach John Mitchell makes nine changes to the side that overcame a sluggish start to beat Australia last time out.
After her try-scoring debut off the bench, hooker Bryony Field is set for her first start in an England shirt alongside Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir in an all-changed starting front-row. Lucy Packer is at scrum-half alongside fly-half Zoe Harrison.
Sophie de Goede returns to Canada’s starting 15 in the second-row and will captain the side for a 25th time. Her return has prompted a positional change, with Rachel Smith shifting to the backrow, where she will join Julia Omokhuale and Lizzie Gibson, a double try-scorer last week against Scotland.
After making her first 15s debut last weekend, two-time Olympic medalist Charity Williams retains her starting spot on the opposite wing to Asia Hogan-Rochester, who scored both of Canada’s tries in last year’s World Cup final and has 10 tries in her 12 appearances.
History is in the Red Roses’ favour, as they look to extend their current winning streak to 40 matches. The two sides have met 14 times since they last lost to Canada since 2016 - and the last time they faced one another at Sandy Park, England won 50-24.
England (15-9; 1-8): Ellie Kildunne; Jess Breach, Megan Jones (capt), Helena Rowland, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer; Hannah Botterman, Bryony Field, Maud Muir; Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion; Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews. Replacements: May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Delaney Burns, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer, Flo Robinson, Holly Aitchison.
Canada: Claire Gallagher; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Charity Williams; Taylor Perry, Olivia Apps; Mikiela Nelson, Kiki Idowu, Daleaka Menin; Sophie de Goede (capt), Laetitia Royer; Rachel Smith, Julia Omokhuale, Lizzie Gibson. Replacements: Gillian Boag, Sophie McDonald, Brooke Rempel, Fabiola Forteza, Pamphinette Buisa, Gabrielle Senft, Justine Pelletier, Savannah Bauder.
France v Australia
By their coach’s own admission, France were not ‘at international pace’ when they kicked off their WXV Global Series challenge with a defeat against New Zealand in Lyon last weekend. He will expect more cohesion, particularly in attack, this weekend against Australia.
Centre Gabrielle Vernier, winger Anaïs Grando, and full-back Émilie Boulard - not seen in national colours since WRWC 2025 - return to the starting line-up for their second outing, following the expected departures of Kelly Arbey, Lili Dezou, and Chloé Jacquet to the national sevens squad.
In the front row, hooker Élisa Riffonneau replaces the injured Mathilde Lazarko; while Cloé Correa gets the nod over Siobhan Soqeta to partner Julia Grosz in the second row.
And head coach François Ratier has named three uncapped players on the bench. Maïlys Mailagi swaps her usual prop role to cover hooker, Élodie Fernandez, normally a fly-half, could fill-in at centre, with backrow Mouna Touré also in line for a first cap.
Piper Flynn is in line for her Wallaroos’ debut after being named on the bench for the clash. She is one of four changes from the side that lost to England last week, with Tiarah Minns, Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Ava Wereta also joining the 23.
Amelia Whitaker, who impressed on debut last weekend, retains her spot on the wing, while Piper Duck and Allana Sikimeti earn a spot in the starting side.
France (15-9; 1-8): Émilie Boulard, Anaïs Grando, Gabrielle Vernier, Teani Feleu, Léa Murie; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon Sansus (capt); Ambre Mwayembe, Élisa Riffonneau, Assia Khalfaoui; Julie Grosz, Cloé Correa, Axelle Berthoumieu, Léa Champon. Replacements: Maïlys Mailagi, Yllana Brosseau, Annaëlle Deshaye, Siobhan Soqeta, Mouna Toure, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Queyroi, Elodie Fernandez.
Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Amelia Whitaker, Georgina Friedrichs, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller; Waiaria Ellis, Samantha Wood; Allana Sikimeti, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva; Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard; Pia Tapsell, Piper Duck, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt). Replacements: Tania Naden, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Tabua Tuinakauvadra; Tia Hinds, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta
Scotland v New Zealand
The Black Ferns head to their first-ever international in Edinburgh on the back of last weekend’s hard-fought victory over France that extended their winning run to seven matches.
Head coach Whitney Hansen has made several changes to the side that won in Lyon. Props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu start either side of captain Georgia Ponsonby in the front row. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu and Laura Bayfield lock-up the second row, while loose forwards Layla Sae and Elinor-Plum King pack down with number eight Mia Anderson in the back row.
Scrum-half Tara Turner starts alongside Hannah King, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a earning a starting spot alongside Justine McGregor on the wings, and Braxton Sorensen-McGee at the back.
Meanwhile, Ngano Tavake and Maia Davis could make their debuts off the bench.
For Scotland, Ceitidh Ainsworth will make her first start at scrum-half having come off the bench for her debut against Canada last Saturday, while Eva Donaldson, Holland Bogan, and Anne Young come into the starting line-up, and Sarah Bonar on the bench, ready for her first international outing since last year's World Cup.
Scotland (15-9; 1-8): Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Rachel Philipps, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell; Helen Nelson, Ceitidh Ainsworth; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke; Emma Wassell, Holland Bogan; Rachel Malcolm (capt), Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher. Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Sarah Bonar, Adelle Ferrie, Rhea Clarke, Hannah Ramsay, Katie Buchanan.
New Zealand: Braxton Sorensen-McGee; Justine McGregor, Amy Du Plessis, Alena Saili, Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a; Hannah King, Tara Turner; Maddison Robinson, Georgia Ponsonby (capt), Mo’omo’oga Palu; Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Laura Bayfield; Layla Sae, Elinor-Plum King, Mia Anderson. Replacements: Vici-Rose Green, Ngano Tavake, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Maia Davis.
Ireland v USA
Match preview to follow
Ireland (15-9; 1-8):
USA: