Canada hosts WXV1 with 2024 venues confirmed

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Canada will host the high-profile event of this year's WXV competition, with the second edition of World Rugby's flagship women's tournament scheduled to take place in September and October.

The Independent It understands the North American country will be confirmed as host of WXV1 on Wednesday, succeeding New Zealand as the event venue.

South Africa and Dubai will continue to host the WXV2 and WXV3 levels respectively.

Canada's women finished second in the inaugural edition last fall behind champions England, after a strong third-place finish at the World Cup in New Zealand a year ago.

Sophie De Guidi boasts the world's best singles player, and most members of the Canadian team play in England on the women's rugby league teams in the Premier League.

England were considered a potential option to host the event ahead of next year's World Cup, but France emerged as favorites to host the second edition of WXV1 late last year. However, Canada's late bid to host the event is believed to have been selected.

The three tiers will be played on consecutive weekends from September 28 to October 12, and will likely clash with the first two rounds of the upcoming PWR season.

The second edition of the WXV takes on additional significance with the availability of World Cup places, with the top six non-qualifying teams at the end of WXV 2024 securing a place in the tournament.

Scotland and Ireland join the Red Roses as level winners to complete the sweep of the British Isles in 2023.

Meanwhile, De Guidi could compete to represent Canada at the Olympics after returning to the sevens event in Vancouver.

The back-rower has been in fantastic form since her return to Saracens at the start of the season, and it is believed she has received permission from the club to enable her to appear on home soil.