All to play for in WXV2 & 3 this weekend

WXV brought more exciting rugby last weekend, and this weekend promises to be even better.

WXV2

Every game in WXV2 this weekend matters.

It’s Scotland or Italy for the WXV2 title. Italy hold a slight five point difference advantage, and will also know what they need to do in order to win the title as Scotland will play on Friday, and Italy on Saturday.

However, Scotland take on 11thranked Japan while Italy have a likely tougher task against the 8thranked United States, although they beat them 22-10 at the World Cup.

But that is not all that will be decided.

South Africa take on Samoa on Friday evening in a battle to see which confederation will lose its place in WXV2 next season.

Samoa hold a one point advantage over South Africa so will stay up if the game is a draw, as it was in a warm-up game just before WXV began, but otherwise it’s a winner takes all.

WXV3

Meanwhile in Dubai the WXV3 title will be a straight shootout between Ireland and Spain.

Here it’s Ireland who hold an advantage if the game is tied, but that seems unlikely.

Ireland have looked imperious in their two games to this point, scoring 173 points against Kazakhstan and Colombia,and have something to prove against the Spanish who helped knock the out of the World Cup at the qualification stage last year.

Spain have had a tougher route to this point but saw off Kenya in week one before beating the much-fancied Fijians last weekend.

Elsewhere it's also relegation that will be a concern for Kenya and Colombia, with Kenya who have the slight advantage. But Colombia beat them in a World Cup qualifier in Nairobi last year so this will be very close.

Relegation will see the losing team having to take on the Netherlands in a playoff that could see Africa lose one of its places in WXV, or South America lose its only place.

WXV1

Meanwhile in New Zealand WXV1 will enter its second week, with England and Canada – winners from the first round – meeting on Friday.

On Saturday New Zealand play Wales with each looking for a first win in the tournament before France aim to build on their win against the Ferns against Australia.