After, England and Canada played out a thrilling draw in Exeter last weekend in a high-intensity repeat of the final of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, the pressure shows no sign of relenting for John Mitchell's side as they host the number two-ranked side in the world, New Zealand, at Allianz Stadium.
That match - the second of the weekend's WXV Global Series fixture list follows what promises to be an intriguing encounter between Italy and South Africa, and precedes Wales v USA - two sides who kicked off their campaigns with impressive results. Scotland and Australia, who are both still looking for their first September wins, then meet in Edinburgh.
France will host a Canadian side brimming with confidence after last week's result against England. Discipline will be Les Bleues' watchword after their performance against Australia in Aix-en-Provence.
Italy v South Africa
Coach Plinio Sciamanna has made several changes to the Italy squad from the one that beat Japan last weekend. Alessia Pilani replaces Vittoria Zanette in the front row, Elisa Giordano returns to the middle of the back row, with Francesca Sgorbini moving to flanker.
Michela Sillari returns to the back row, with Alyssa D’Incà moving to the wing and Francesca Granzotto joining the bench.
Meanwhile, on the bench second-row/back-row hybrid Mascia Jelic – sister of former Italy men’s sevens star Ratko – could make her debut.
Italy coach Sciamanna explained his decision to change a winning formula: “The match against South Africa will be different from the one against Japan, which is why we've made some changes to the line-up. The return of Elisa and Michela allows us to vary our decisions and brings experience.”
South Africa, too, have reshuffled their starting line-up, making several changes to their squad for their second WXV Global Series outing.
Unam Tose returns at scrumhalf and will share the captaincy with Sizo Solontsi at the Stadio Omero Tognon in Pordenone, where Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries, who missed the Wales test due to injury, are back in the squad.
Only three of the seven backs retain their places in the run-on side. Maceala Samboya remains at outside centre, Maria Tshiremba switches wings, and Byrhandré Dolf moves from full-back to fly-half.
Nombuyekezo Mdliki starts at tighthead, with hooker Anushka Groenewald coming into the middle of the front row for Lindelwa Gwala, while Yonela Ngxingolo – the second most capped player ever for the Springbok Women - will wear the green and gold for the 48th time.
Catha Jacobs moves from flanker to join Vainah Ubisi in the second row, replacing Danelle Lochner, who drops out of the 23 despite having her red card against Wales rescinded. Lerato Makua comes in at blindside flanker, and Aseza Hele is back at number eight.
Italy (15-9; 1-8): Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (capt); Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Sara Mannini, Alyssa D’Incá; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Alessia Pilani; Alessandra Frangipani, Giordana Duca; Francesca Sgorbini, Alissa Ranuccini, Elisa Giordano. Replacements: Chiara Cheli, Laura Foscato, Gaia Dosi, Giulia Cavina, Mascia Jelic, Alia Bitonci, Beatrice Rigoni, Francesca Granzotto.
South Africa: Jakkie Cilliers; Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Maria Tshiremba; Byrhandre Dolf, Uman Tose (co-capt); Yonela Ngxingolo, Anushka Groenewald, Nombuyekezo Mdliki; Vainah Ubisi, Catha Jacobs; Sizophila Solontsi (co-capt), Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele. Replacements: Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Babalwa Latsha, Nomsa Mokwai, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Felicia Jacobs, Libbie Janse van Rensburg
England v New Zealand
Props Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern start in the front row for world champions England, while Maddie Feaunati is recalled at number eight in three personnel changes in the starting line-up from the side that drew 26-26 with Canada in Exeter last time out, ending a winning run that had extended 39 matches.
Feaunati’s return means a switch to blindside for vice-captain Alex Matthews, with Abi Burton moving on to the bench.
On the bench, Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard are back in the 23, while Emma Sing is set for her first WXV Global Series appearance against their oldest rivals, the Black Ferns, ranked second in the world and unbeaten in their last eight matches.
But England haven't lost in 40 outings - a remarkable record that extends to 53 games on home soil since their 20-25 defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham Stoop in November 2016. And the Red Roses have won their last 13 at the Allianz Stadium, last losing there against France in the 2015 Six Nations.
Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen has recalled loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker, winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga and second-row Laura Bayfield as the Black Ferns look to end England's winning runs and trigger memories of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 final at Auckland’s Eden Park.
“Our players are built different,” Hansen said at the team announcement. “We’re made for these moments. We’ve continued to grow each week and we’re excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England, who are currently number one in the world.”
England (15-9; 1-8): Ellie Kildunne; Jess Breach, Megan Jones (capt), Helena Rowland, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer; Mackenzie Carson, Bryony Field, Sarah Bern; Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion; Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati. Replacements: May Campbell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Abi Burton, Marlie Packer, Natasha Hunt, Tatyana Heard, Emma Sing.
New Zealand: Braxton Sorensen-McGee; Mererangi Paul, Amy Du Plessis, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Ayesha Leti-I’iga; Hannah King, Maia Joseph; Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby (capt), Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu; Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Laura Bayfield; Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Elinor-Plum King, Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Replacements: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Layla Sae, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor, Alena Saili.
Wales v USA
After an inspiring win over the Springbok Women, Wales host the USA at Cardiff Arms Park, with both sides looking to clinch their second win of the WXV Global Series campaign.
Head coach Sean Lynn has made more than a few changes to the Welsh starting XV as Lleucu George returns to the backline, prompting Keira Bevan to move from 10 to scrum-half.
The front-row trio of Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu will be set loose once again after playing a pivotal role in last Friday's win, with the Welsh staff opting not to change the forward pack. Carys Cox and, as already mentioned, George are the only new additions to the backline, with Seren Lockwood been ruled out with concussion.
Molly Reardon, Nikita Prothero, and Sian Jones, will feature in their first WXV Global Series game of the campaign.
However, the USA, motivated by a memorable victory over Ireland will be determined to leave Cardiff with a second win. Jack Hanratty has made a single change: Nina Mason comes in at fly-half, with Bella Vogel moving to centre to partner Emily Henrich. Vogel, who kept unravelling the Irish defence with clinical kicks, is expected to add a layer of unpredictability to the centre pairing.
Georgie Perris-Redding leads the side once more with Freda Tafuna and Hann Humphreys as her backrow partners. It is worth noting that all of the USA Women's Eagles' tries last week were scored by members of the forward pack, so they will pose the main challenge for Wales in this match.
Katana Howard takes Kate Zackary's place in the 23, with Tessa Hann also getting picked for the match-day squad.
Wales (15-9; 1-8): Lisa Neumann; Carys Cox, Courtney Knight, Freya Bell, Amy Williams; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams (co-capt), Alex Callender (co-capt), Bryonie King. Replacements: Molly Reardon, Gwenllian Pyrs, Elan Jones, Gwen Crabb, Jorja Aiono, Sian Jones, Jenna de Vera, Nikita Prothero.
USA: Kayla Canett; Telesi Uhatafe, Emily Henrich, Bella Vogel, Erica Coulibaly; Nina Mason, Abigail Paton; Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele, Hallie Taufoou, Rachel Ehrecke, Hann Humphreys, Georgie Perris-Redding (co-capt), Freda Tafuna. Replacements: Chloe Hill-Huse, Alivia Leatherman, Reece Woods, Erica Jarell-Searcy (co-capt), Kapoina Bailey, Cassidy Bargell, Katana Horward, Tessa Hann.
Scotland v Australia
Scotland and the Wallaroos are both looking to earn their first win in WXV Global Series 2026 after losing their first two games.
Scotland, who have already hosted Canada and New Zealand, have made four changes for the challenge of Australia: Sarah Bonar will come in to the second-row, Rachel McLachlan joins the loose forward combination, while Evie Wills steps into the outside-centre position and Hannah Ramsay gets her first start ahead of Chloe Rollie at full-back.
Interim Head Coach Dave Butcher can count on a good dose of firepower off the bench in the second half, with Leah Barlett, Molly Poolman, Eva Donaldson and Chloe Rollie ready to step in.
The Wallaroos, who came close to a big result against France, head north having made only one change to their starting line-up, with Brianna Hoy starting at loose-head prop. However, the bench has been completely overhauled, with five new players coming in compared to the match against Les Bleues: Martha Fua, Bridie O'Gorman, Jemma Bemrose, Emily Chancellor, and Lily Bone.
Trailblazing second-row Michaela Leonard will win her 50th cap for Australia, becoming the first Wallaroo to reach that number.
In the head-to-head record, Australia have never lost to Scotland. The last of their four victories came in 2024, when the Wallaroos nailed a 31-22 win in WXV2. This will be the first of three matches between the two teams over the coming weeks, with the next two on Australian soil on 17 and 23 October.
Scotland (15-9; 1-8): Hannah Ramsay; Rhona Lloyd, Evie Willis, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell; Helen Nelson, Ceitidh Ainsworth; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke; Emma Wassell, Holland Bogan; Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Hollie Cunningham, Eva Donaldson, Leaia Brebner-Holden, Katie Buchanan, Chloe Rollie.
Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Amelia Whitaker, Georgina Friedrichs, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller; Waiaria Ellis, Samantha Wood; Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva; Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard; Pia Tapsell, Piper Duck, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt). Replacements: Tania Naden, Martha Fua, Bridie O'Gorman, Jemma Bemrose, Emily Chancellor, Lily Bone, Tia Hinds, Ava Wereta.
France v Canada
French indiscipline against Australia in Aix-en-Provence last weekend has forced coach François Ratier into a number of changes for Les Bleues third and final match of the European leg of the WXV Global Series
With second-row Cloé Correa and prop Ambre Mwayembe suspended for two and three weeks respectively, Ratier has called-up Yllana Brosseau into the front row, while backrow Mouna Touré comes into the starting line-up after impressing off the bench last weekend, prompting a move for Charlotte Escudero into the second-row.
Marie Ibañez - daughter of former men’s national team hooker Raphael - will make her debut, replacing Anaïs Grando.
Four other uncapped players will take their places on the bench: second-row Lou Roboam, flanker Elsa Peyras, and winger Amalia Bazola. Fly-half Élodie Fernandez, who was a replacement against Australia but didn’t play, will be hoping to earn a first cap this time.
Canada coach Kevin Rouet, meanwhile, has opted to rest inspirational captain Sophie de Goede for this match in La Rochelle, with two more big games against England to come at home next month. Rachel Smith will partner Laetitia Royer in the second row.
DaLeaka Menin, player of the match and WXV Global Series Player of the Week for her two-try performance against England last weekend, starts in the front-row, earning her 75th cap, making her the second-most capped Canadian of all time.
Sevens specialist Savannah Bauder comes in at full-back, Taylor McKnight replaces Gillian Boag on the bench and Aurora Bowie is named in her first matchday squad of WXV Global Series.
France (15-9; 1-8): Émilie Boulard; Marie Ibañez, Gabrielle Vernier, Teani Feleu, Léa Murie; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon Sansus; Yllana Brosseau, Élisa Riffonneau, Assia Khalfaoui; Julia Grosz, Charlotte Escudero; Axelle Berthoumieu, Mouna Toure, Léa Champon. Replacements: Mathilde Lazarko, Amalia Bazola Allieres, Annaëlle Deshaye, Lou Roboam, Elsa Peyras, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Queyroi, Élodie Fernandez
Canada: Savannah Bauder; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier (capt), Charity Williams; Taylor Perry, Olivia Apps; Mikiela Nelson, Kiki Idowu, DaLeaka Menin; Rachel Smith, Laetitia Royer; Fabiola Forteza, Julia Omokhuale, Lizzie Gibson. Replacements: Taylor McKnight, Sophie McDonald, Brooke Rempel, Pamphinette Buisa, Claire Gallagher, Gabrielle Senft, Justine Pelletier, Aurora Bowie.
Ireland v Japan
Match preview to follow
Ireland (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Japan: xxx