Kenya Lionesses chase spot in newly launched women’s competition ahead of Madagascar trip

The women’s national rugby 15s side Kenya Lionesses are set to play in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Antananarivo, Madagascar from 18-29 May 2023 with their focus set on finishing in the top two in order to qualify for the WXV.

The Dennis Mwanja coached side are set face South Africa, Madagascar and Cameroon in a round robin format with the winner qualifying for the second tier of the WXV and the runner up qualifying for the third tier of the same competition.

The WXV is the new international competition launched by World Rugby aimed at increasing the competitiveness, reach and impact of elite women’s rugby by providing the global platform between Rugby World Cups to increase the reach, impact and value of the sport and growing the game as a whole.

Importantly, it will double the number of annual international fixtures for most competing teams, combining with World Rugby’s ‘Accelerate’ programme to raise standards at Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond which has been inadequate in the women’s game.

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure to Madagascar on Thursday, Mwanja exuded confidence in the team called up to camp as he spoke of his desire to elevate the women’s game in the country to almost the same level as the men who have twice come close to qualifying for the prestigious Rugby World Cup.

“We are quietly confident as we look at a bright future for the Lionesses. We want to take our sport at the top level of rugby because for so long we have fallen short and almost been there.

We have our work cut out and have picked a team that is full of youth and experience with the cornerstone being discipline, commitment and also the belief in having players with the right attitude to play.

This team will carry the mantle for Kenya and it is a competition that we have picked the best factoring on consistency. We are excited about going to Madagascar and playing and we are confidently dreaming as we look forward to the upcoming fixtures,” he said.

WXV - How does it work?

WXV 1

WXV 1 will consist of six teams and be played in a cross-pool format. Participating teams will include the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (Europe) and the top three teams from the World Rugby Pacific Four Series (Rugby Americas North/Oceania).

Each team will play three matches. There will be no relegation or promotion for the first two years.

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WXV 2

The WXV 2 competition will consist of six teams, playing in a cross-pool format. Participating teams for 2023 will include two teams from Europe, the fourth-placed team from the Pacific Four Series, alongside one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa.

The sixth-placed regional position in the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season will be relegated to WXV 3.

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WXV 3

WXV 3 will also be played as a cross-pool format, made up of six teams: two from Europe and one from Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America.

The regional position of the winner of WXV 3 will be promoted to WXV 2 and the bottom team will play off against the next best ranked side, according to the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini on the Monday after the final match of WXV that year.

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Fixtures

20 May

South Africa vs Cameroon

Kenya vs Madagascar

24 May

South Africa vs Kenya

Madagascar vs Cameroon

28 May

Kenya vs Cameroon

South Africa vs Madagascar