Ten standout players to watch at WXV

Katelyn Vaha'akolo (left), Alex Matthews (centre) and Asoiva Karpani (right)

The WXV competition starts its second season on Friday.

Defending champions England will be joined by world champions New Zealand, Canada, United States, France and Ireland in WXV1 in Canada, while Scotland and Wales are playing in WXV2 in South Africa.

As well as the sport's leading stars, there will be a host of new players seeking to make their names known.

The BBC will be streaming every match of WXV1 and WXV2 - so who should you watch out for?

Katelyn Vaha'akolo – New Zealand

New Zealand producing elite wingers has never been a problem. The rugby league convert has excelled since her switch to union last year, making one of the most competitive Black Ferns jerseys her own.

The 24-year-old scored two tries in New Zealand's recent defeat by England at Twickenham to spark her team's hopes of a potential comeback.

With six tries in her last two games – including four in a 62-0 hammering of Australia – she is one of the most lethal wingers in the women's game.

England will have to keep her quiet in their rematch on 6 October.

Abby Dow – England

Abby Dow scored in England's victory over New Zealand this month

Vaha'akolo's Test try rate might be good, but England wing Dow is right up there with her.

The 26-year-old flyer has scored seven tries in her last seven Tests, including a dazzling run from the halfway line that left Vaha'akolo trailing at Twickenham.

Her team-mates may try to argue otherwise but Dow is probably the quickest player in the squad and arguably across the entire women's game.

A game-breaker from anywhere on the pitch, Dow's pace and power has resulted in multiple brilliant individual scores.

But defensively is where she has taken her game to a new level under head coach John Mitchell, and her all-around game is now among the best of any winger.

Aoife Wafer – Ireland

Aoife Wafer scored in Ireland's recent victory over Australia

In terms of both sides of the ball, Ireland flanker Wafer epitomises the definition of an all-action flanker.

Still only 21, her Six Nations stats were among the best in the competition, earning her a Six Nations player of the tournament nomination. The County Wexford native was ranked joint-second for breakdown steals with four, and was the top forward for ball carrying with six line breaks.

The small nuances to her game - that all the best flankers in the world possess - will continue to develop over time. In terms of raw athletic ability, Wafer now has the opportunity to pit her skills against the best sides in the world as Ireland play in the top tier of the WXV for the first time.

Gabrielle Vernier – France

Classy and reliable – the two words that sum up France centre Vernier.

The 27-year-old showed that class in her side's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against the Red Roses in April, cutting a superb line to go over for a first-half try.

In 2023, Vernier received a World Player of the Year nomination, and has rarely had a bad game for France over the past two years.

England's domination of the Six Nations means Vernier lacks the international silverware her career may deserve, but could WXV1 be where she puts that right?

Alex Matthews – England

Matthews has been around the England squad since 2011 and will lead England for the first time in their opening match against the United States on Sunday.

The versatile back row was one of the youngest members of England's 2014 World Cup-winning squad, featuring off the bench in their final victory over Canada.

Now 31, Matthews has matured into one of the Red Roses' most valuable leaders, scoring two tries in their Grand Slam win over France and named player of the match in their recent victory over New Zealand.

DaLeaka Menin - Canada

DaLeaka Menin scored in Canada's win over Australia in the Pacific Four Series

The 29-year-old prop was player of the match against world champions New Zealand when Canada won the Pacific Four Series in May.

With their captain and top performer Sophie de Goede missing because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL), new leaders will need to step up for the hosts.

Destructive in both the scrum and in the loose, Menin has shown all her qualities playing her club rugby for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Women's Rugby league.

Kate Williams - Wales

Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury have 21 of their players competing for six nations in the WXV tournaments.

To pick up Gloucester-Hartpury's breakthrough player of the season award is no easy feat, but that's exactly what Wales flanker Kate Williams did after a standout campaign.

Born in Swansea, Williams grew up in New Zealand and became an officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy while also captaining North Harbour's women's team.

Deciding to play for Wales, the 24-year-old made her debut in the 2023 Women's Six Nations and has now earned five starts in 16 caps.

She scored the winning try against Australia last weekend - her first in Wales colours - and now looks set to make a big impression on the international game.

Evie Gallagher – Scotland

Evie Gallagher has been capped 29 times by Scotland

The 24-year-old, with her funky blue hair, starts Scotland's opening game against Italy on Saturday.

The number eight impressed for Scotland in their title-winning WXV2 campaign last year, and backed it up during this year's Six Nations.

The return from injury of the experienced Jade Konkel now means Gallagher will have to hit the ground running as competition in the back row heats up.

After spending time with the Scotland sevens team, Gallagher is known for her speed and eye-catching breaks.

Beatrice Rigoni – Italy

Like a number of Italians, the 29-year-old's game has benefited from coming to play in the highly competitive Premiership Women's Rugby league.

The Sale Sharks centre punches well above her size in contact and mixes her game up well, with sharp footwork complementing her strong distribution skills.

Rigoni is also a handy goal-kicker and accurate kicking out of hand.

Asoiva Karpani – Australia

The prop was the Wallaroos Player of the Year last year, scoring a hat-trick in their impressive victory over France at WXV1.

The 28-year-old has played both league and union, featuring for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Included in Karpani's highlight reel was a 60-metre breakaway try for Waratahs, where she fended off the full-back to sprint clear. Not your average prop.