Three-tier women's rugby competition to kick-off in October

England will be locking horns with Australia in the inaugural's women's international rugby tournament that will kick-off on 20th October.

The first tier competition named WXV1 will see world champions New Zealand face France in the opening round that will also involve Canada locking horns with Wales apart from England's clash with Australia on 20th and 21st October.

The second round will see Canada taking on England while New Zealand and Australia face Wales and France respectively on 27-28 October. The final round will see Australia facing Wales followed by a double header involving a repeat of World Cup final in 2021 - England v New Zealand and Canada taking on France.

"WXV represents the start of a new era for women's rugby with the three-level tournament model providing opportunities for the best athletes around the world to show their skills," said Sally Horrox, chief of women's rugby at World Rugby.

"We've seen the rapid development of the women's game in recent years and WXV will push it to another level again," she added.

Apart from WXV1, the second tier competition or WXV2 will see South Africa, Italy, Japan, Samoa, Scotland and the USA involved while the third tier WXV3 comprise of Colombia, Fiji Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Spain.