WXV is a new womens international rugby union competition that will be held annually, being launched in 2023. The competition will consist of three tiers, respectively named WXV 1, WXV 2, and WXV 3. Each tier will consist of six teams divided into two pools and will run in a split pool format, where teams only face teams from the other pool. The competition will provide a pathway for all unions to compete, as well as offering a springboard towards an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025.

Here are some key details about each tier of the competition:

• WXV 1: This tier will consist of six teams and be played in a cross-pool format, as a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis. Participating teams will include the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (Europe) and the top three teams of the cross-regional tournament featuring USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia (Oceania/Rugby Americas North (RAN)). There will be no promotion or relegation in the first cycle of WXV 1.

• WXV 2: This tier will consist of six teams, played in a cross-pool format, as a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis. The sixth-placed regional position in the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season will be relegated to WVX 3.

• WXV 3: This tier will also be played as a cross-pool format, made up of six teams: two from Europe, one from Asia, one from Oceania, one from Africa, and one from South America. The Group winner will head up to group 2. The fate of the bottom team will be decided by a play-off with the next best side, according to the World Rugby Women’s Rankings. The winner of WXV 3 will be promoted to WXV 2, while the bottom-ranked team will compete in a play-off with the best non-competing side in the World Rugby Rankings.

The competition is aimed at increasing the competitiveness, reach, and impact of elite women’s rugby. It will double the number of annual international fixtures for most competing teams, combining with World Rugby’s ‘Accelerate’ program to raise standards at Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond.