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WXV 3: Samoa and Madagascar ring the changes ahead of final round
Heading into the final round of WXV 3, Spain lead the way in the race for both the title and one of the two tickets to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 tickets on offer.
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Las Leonas will claim both if they beat Fiji in Saturday’s finale, although they only need two points to guarantee World Cup qualification and could be crowned champions in defeat.
Samoa, who take on Madagascar on Friday, are in the driving seat for the second ticket to England 2025 and could overhaul Spain at the top of the standings. But they would need a helping hand from Pacific rivals Fiji, who have title aspirations of their own.
Hong Kong China and the Netherlands each retain a mathematical chance of qualifying for the World Cup, meaning there is plenty to play for across all three matches this weekend.
You can watch all the action live and for free via RugbyPass TV, where there isn’t a local broadcast deal in place.
Get all the team news for the final round of WXV 3 matches below as and when it drops.
Samoa v Madagascar
Samoa head coach Ramsey Tomokino has made seven personnel changes to his starting line-up as Manusina chase the victory against Madagascar that would secure a ticket to England.
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Up front, Angelica Uila comes in at tighthead prop, while Sydney Niupulusu comes into the second row and Machiko Silila F Fepuleai starts at blindside flanker.
In the backs, Harmony Vatau and Saelua Leaula form an all-new midfield partnership, while wingers Lutia Col Aumua and Tietie Aiolupotea come into the back three.
Madagascar, meanwhile, have made six personnel changes to their starting line-up for their final assignment in Dubai.
Prop Mamisoa Rasoarimalala and hooker Launrence Rasoanandrasana come into the front row with Nanou Razafializay shifting from the loosehead to tighthead.
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Oliviane Andriatsilavina and captain Sarindra Shahondramalala form the second row having started in the back row against Hong Kong China, with Volatiana Rasoanandrasana and Sariaka Nomenjanahary selected at blindside flanker and No8 respectively.
In the backs, Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina and Marie Bodonandrianina form an all-new half-back partnership while Olivia Hanitriniaina and Claudia Rasoarimalala swap wings.
Samoa: 15. Karla Wright-Akeli, 14. Tietie Aiolupotea, 13. Saelua Leaula, 12. Harmony Vatau, 11. Lutia Col Aumua, 10. Cassie Siataga, 9. France Bloomfield, 1. Denise Aiolupotea, 2. Avau Filimaua, 3. Angelica Uila, 4. Ana-Lise Sio, 5. Sydney Niupulusu, 6. Machiko Silila F Fepuleai, 7. Sui Pauaraisa (captain), 8. Joanna Fanene Lolo.
Replacements: 16. Ana Mamea, 17. Ti Tauasosi, 18. Tori Iosefo, 19. Nina Foaese, 20. Moega Wright, 21. Ana Afuie, 22. Davina Lasini, 23. Ruby Finau.
Madagascar: 15. Tiana Razanamahefa, 14. Claudia Rasoarimalala, 13. Veronique Rasoanekena, 12. Valisoa Razanakiniana, 11. Olivia Hanitriniaina, 10. Marie Bodonandrianina, 9. Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina, 1. Mamisoa Rasoarimalala, 2. Laurence Rasoanandrasana, 3. Nanou Razafializay, 4. Oliviane Andriatsilavina, 5. Sarindra Sahondramalala (captain), 6. Volatiana Rasoanandrasana, 7. Delphine Raharimalala, 8. Sariaka Nomenjanahary.
Replacements: 16. Fenosoa Razanakolona, 17. Fenitra Razafindramanga, 18. Fanomezantsoa Raminoarisoa, 19. Felana Rakotoarison, 20. Nofy Nomenjanahary, 21. Voahirana Razafiarisoa, 22. Vacilly Rahariravaka, 23. Zaya Fanantenana.
Netherlands v Hong Kong China
Head coach Sylke Haverkorn has made four personnel changes to her starting line-up as the Netherlands look to end their debut campaign on a high.
Loosehead prop Anouk Veerkamp and hooker Julia Morauw come into the front row, while Nicky Dix switches across to the tighthead.
The other change in the pack comes in the back row where Mhina de Vos is selected to start at blindside flanker.
Senne Sophie Anne Hoog, meanwhile, has been drafted in on the right wing in place of Kika Mulling, who drops to the bench.
Ahead of the final round, Hong Kong China still hold an outside chance of winning the title and securing a ticket to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
Head coach Andrew Douglas has made only two changes to the team that started the victory against Madagascar last Friday, both of which come in the pack.
Fion Got replaces Tanya Dhar at hooker, while Chloe Baltazar comes in for sister Micayla in the second row.
There are three further changes among the replacements as Karen So, uncapped lock Morena Grierson and Au King To have been drafted in to provide cover from the bench.
Netherlands: 15. Lieve Stallman, 14. Senne Sophie Anne Hoog, 13. Linneke Gevers, 12. Pien Selbeck, 11. Gaya van Nifterik, 10. Esmee Ligtvoet, 9. Lisa Egberts, 1. Anouk Veerkamp, 2. Julia Morauw, 3. Nicky Dix, 4. Linde van der Velden (captain), 5. Inger Jongerius, 6. Mhina de Vos, 7. Mariet Luijken, 8. Isa Prins.
Replacements: 16. Anoushka Beukers, 17. Jara Bunnik, 18. Brechtje Karst, 19. Elisabeth Boot, 20. Morgane ter Cock, 21. Marit Lemmens, 22. Emma van Traa, 23. Kika Mulling.
Hong Kong China: 15. Sabay Lynam, 14. Chong Ka Yan, 13. Natasha Olson-Thorne, 12. Gabriella Rivers, 11. Zoe Smith, 10. Georgia Rivers, 9. Jessica Ho, 1. Lau Nga Wun, 2. Fion Got, 3. Kea Herewini, 4. Roshini Turner, 5. Chloe Baltazar, 6. Pun Wai Yan (captain), 7. Chan Tsz Ching, 8. Shanna Forrest.
Replacements: 16. Karen So, 17. Chan Hiu Tung, 18. Lee Ka Shun, 19. Morena Grierson, 20. Chow Mei Nam, 21. Au King To, 22. Fung Hoi-Ching, 23. Haruka Uematsu.
Fiji v Spain
Mosese Rauluni has made seven personnel changes to the Fijiana start line-up for his final match in charge.
Rauluni resigned as head coach earlier this week and has named an all-new front row of Salanieta Nabuli, Keleni Marawa and Tiana Robanakadavu.
Aviame Veidreyaki comes into the second row alongside Alfreda Fisher, who started the defeat to Samoa at blindside flanker.
Captain Karalaini Naisewa, meanwhile, is joined in the back row by two incoming flankers, Adi Salaseini Railumu and Ema Adivitaloga.
The sole personnel change in the backs comes at fly-half where Salanieta Kinita is selected to start and Jennifer Ravutia shifts to inside centre. Wingers Repeka Adi Tove and Kolora Lomani swap jersey numbers.
Spain have made only one change to the starting XV that beat the Netherlands as they chase the victory that would secure the title and their place at England 2025.
Tighthead prop Sidorella Bracic Rodriguez comes into the front row in place of Mireia de Andres, who drops to the bench.
Loosehead Laura Delgado will continue as captain in what will be her final match in WXV.
The only other change to the matchday 23 comes on the bench where Anna Puig is set for her first involvement of the tournament as a replacement.
Fiji: 15. Luisa Tisolo, 14. Kolora Lomani, 13. Adita Milinia, 12. Jennifer Ravutia, 11. Repeka Adi Tove, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 9. Evivi Senikarivi, 1. Salanieta Nabuli, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Aviame Veidreyaki, 5. Alfreda Fisher, 6. Adi Salaseini Railumu, 7. Ema Adivitaloga, 8. Karalaini Naisewa (captain).
Replacements: 16. Loraini Senivutu, 17. Penina S B Qerawaqa Turova, 18. Ana Korovata, 19. Asinate Serevi, 20. Mereoni Nakesa, 21. Alisi Galo, 22. Setaita Railumu, 23. Ivamere Nabura.
Spain: 15. Claudia Peña Hidalgo, 14. Claudia Perez, 13. Alba Vinuesa, 12. Zahia Perez, 11. Clara Piquero, 10. Amalia Argudo, 9. Anne Fernandez de Corres, 1. Laura Delgado (captain), 2. Cristina Blanco, 3. Sidorella Bracic Rodriguez, 4. Nadina Cisa, 5. Lourdes Alameda, 6. Nerea García, 7. Alba Capell, 8. Carmen Castellucci.
Replacements: 16. Maria Roman Mallen, 17. Iñes Antolinez Fernandez, 18. Mireia de Andres, 19. Anna Puig, 20. Lina Piñeiro, 21. Lucia Diaz, 22. Claudia Cano, 23. Martina Marquez Alpanel.
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