Wales to host Spain in WXV play-off

Wales will host their WXV play-off match against Spain at Cardiff Arms Park on 29 June.

The winner will qualify for WXV2 in South Africa in September, with the loser heading to Dubai for WXV3.

Wales attracted record crowds in both games at the Arms Park during this year's Six Nations, despite suffering two defeats as they finished bottom of the table.

Spain qualified for the play-off as Rugby Europe Women’s Championship winners.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said the play-off was a "major" Test match.

He added: "The squad, coaches and staff know how important this game is.

"Victory against Italy provides us with a platform to build on with the 2025 World Cup in England still very much the focus.

"One of the goals we have set ourselves is to build the depth and competition for places in the squad and we did that with six new caps getting a taste of Test match rugby during our last campaign."

Spain, part of the Six Nations until 2006, won the last meeting between the teams, 29-5 in 2019, and beat Sweden 53-0 in their most recent match.

"Spain have been one of the traditional benchmarks in our game and will travel to Wales full of confidence after their recent performances," said Cunningham.

"We know they will be determined to make a statement against us at home in front of our own supporters at Cardiff Arms Park."

The winner will be joined in WXV2 by Scotland, Italy, the African Cup winners, Asia Championship winners and the team finishing last in the Pacific Four Series between Australia, New Zealand, Canada and United States.

The play-off loser will line up in WXV3 2024 alongside the Netherlands, the runners up from the Africa Cup and Asia Championship and the top two teams in the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship.