WXV: Tournament guide, fixtures and BBC coverage

England played two warm-up Test matches against France and New Zealand in September ahead of WXV1

The WXV competition starts its second season on Friday - and you can watch every match in the top two divisions live on the BBC.

England defeated world champions New Zealand in Auckland to win the inaugural WXV1 trophy last year, while Scotland claimed the WXV2 title and Ireland came out on top in WXV3.

Wales finished bottom of WXV1 in 2023, securing their place in WXV2 this year by beating Spain in a play-off in June.

So what is the WXV tournament, how can you follow it on the BBC, and when do the teams play?

How does WXV work?

The three-tier tournament was created to offer consistent annual international fixtures outside of World Cup years.

Each WXV tier consists of six countries who have qualified via continental tournaments and play-offs:

• WXV1 in Canada features the three sides from the 2024 Women's Six Nations - England, France and Ireland - plus the top three from the Pacific Four Series - Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

• WXV2 in South Africa contains the remaining Six Nations sides - Scotland, Wales and Italy - as well as South Africa, Australia and Japan.

• WXV3 in Dubai is made up of Spain, Madagascar, Fiji, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Samoa.

With each tier split into two pools, teams play the three sides in the other pool, with final placings determined by a points table.

Four points are awarded for a win and two for a draw, with the potential to pick up bonus points for scoring four tries or losing by seven points or fewer.

This year's WXV will also decide the final qualifying spots for next year's Rugby World Cup in England, with six spots going to the highest finishing teams.

New Zealand, England, Ireland, Canada, France, South Africa, United States, Japan, Fiji and Brazil have all already booked their World Cup places.

How do I watch games on the BBC?

BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app will stream all games in WXV1 and WXV2.

You can follow live text coverage of selected games involving England, Wales and Ireland on the BBC Sport website.

WXV3 will be live on RugbyPass TV.

What chances do the home nations have?

England are big favourites to retain their WXV1 title after comfortably beating New Zealand 24-12 at Allianz Stadium in September.

Hosts Canada will be a team to watch after they defeated New Zealand for the first time to win the Pacific Four Series title in May.

Ireland, who recently announced 37 central contracts across the women's high performance programme in XVs and sevens, qualified for the top-tier competition thanks to a third-place finish in this year's Six Nations.

Their best chance of securing a victory is likely to come in their final game against the United States.

Wales finished with no victories in WXV1 last year but will hope to compete for the WXV2 title this year.

Scotland defeated Wales 20-18 in the Six Nations - helped by a late missed conversion - and will fancy their chances of retaining the trophy.

When do the home nations play?

Wales wing Jasmine Joyce played for Team GB in sevens at the Olympics

England's Red Roses start their WXV1 title defence against the United States in Vancouver on 29 September.

They then face a repeat of their recent game at Allianz Stadium when they play New Zealand in Langley on 6 October.

John Mitchell's Grand Slam winners face hosts Canada in Vancouver in their final game on 12 October.

Ireland face the Black Ferns first in Vancouver on 29 September.

Games against Canada in Langley on 5 October and the United States in Vancouver on 11 October follow.

All WXV2 games - like last year - will take place in Cape Town.

Defending champions Scotland face Italy on 28 September before Japan on 5 October and Australia, who played in WXV1 last year, on 12 October.

Wales play the Wallaroos on 28 September, followed by games against Italy on 4 October and Japan on 11 October.

WXV squad news

WXV1 fixtures

Sunday, 29 September

United States v England (BC Place, Vancouver, 20:30)

Canada v France (BC Place, Vancouver, 23:45)

New Zealand v Ireland (BC Place, Vancouver, 03:00 Monday)

Saturday, 5 October

United States v France (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 20:30)

Canada v Ireland (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 23:45)

Sunday, 6 October

New Zealand v England (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 21:00)

Friday, 11 October

United States v Ireland (BC Place, Vancouver, 20:30)

Saturday, 12 October

New Zealand v France (BC Place, Vancouver, 23:45)

Canada v England (BC Place, Vancouver, 03:00 Sunday)

All times listed are BST.

WXV2 fixtures

Friday, 27 September

South Africa v Japan (DHL Stadium, Cape Town, 15:00)

Saturday, 28 September

Australia v Wales (DHL Stadium, Cape Town, 11:30)

Italy v Scotland (DHL Stadium, Cape Town, 14:00)

Friday, 4 October

Wales v Italy (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 15:00)

Saturday, 5 October

Japan v Scotland (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 13:00)

South Africa v Australia (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 16:00)

Friday, 11 October

Wales v Japan (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 15:00)

Saturday, 12 October

South Africa v Italy (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 13:00)

Australia v Scotland (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 16:00)

All times listed are BST.