World Rugby launches global tournament for women's competition
The tournament is expected to be played in the September-October international competition window, except in a World Cup year
©PA
World Rugby has announced the launch of a new annual three-tier global competition for women's game that is due to begin in 2023.
The competition will have three tiers to help the teams get consistent opportunities to prepare for the 2025 World Cup with the World Rugby planning to invest £6.4m for the first two years.
The first tier will have six teams and will have top three teams of Women's Six Nations along with the top three teams of the cross-regional tournament featuring Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA (Oceania/Rugby Americas North (RAN)). There will be no promotion or relegation in the 2023 and 2014 editions.
The second tier or WXV2 will include two teams from Europe, the fourth-placed team from the cross-regional tournament featuring Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA (Oceania/RAN) alongside one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa. The sixth-placed regional position in the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season will be relegated to WXV 3.
The third tier will include two teams from Europe, one team from Asia and the winner of an Africa v South America play-off. The top ranked regional position in the WXV 3 competition will be promoted to the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season.
The tournament is expected to be played in the September-October international competition window, except in a World Cup year with all games to be played in one location.
"This is a landmark moment for the sport," said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
"Today's announcement of a new, global international 15s calendar will underpin the future success and accelerate the development of the women's game.
"By establishing a unified international 15s calendar and introducing WXV we are creating a platform for the women's international teams to compete in more consistent, competitive and sustainable competitions at regional and global level.
"This is an ambitious, long-term commitment to make the global game more competitive, to grow the women's game and support the expansion of Rugby World Cup to 16 teams from 2025 and beyond".
