WXV 3: What to expect from Spain and the Netherlands?
After missing out on qualification in 2021, Spain have the chance to reach next year's World Cup
©Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
It is now only 11 months until the Word Cup begins and there are still seats up for grabs.
The second annual WXV competition gets underway on Friday - with the Red Roses aiming to retain their WXV 1 title - but if you work your way down to tier three (WXV 3), the stakes are arguably even higher.
For Spain, Netherlands, Madagascar, Samoa and Hong Kong China, WXV 3 presents the last chance to reach next year’s World Cup.
The Spanish have dominated the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship for the last 10 years and the Dutch are another top contender to earn World Cup qualification, but they will need to either win their three games or finish in first place.
So, let us dive into the two teams and get to know some of their best operators who can push them closer to England 2025.
*Important to remember that Fiji has already booked a slot for RWC 2025, and they are “only” fighting for promotion to WXV 2.
SPAIN
The Leonas have played in six editions of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, only failing to qualify for the 1994, 2010, and 2021 tournaments.
After years of rebuilding their squad, Spain now have some of the most promising players in the world as well as a couple of legends who have rocked Premiership Women’s Rugby in England.
Best players
Laura Delgado – The 34-year-old Harlequins tighthead prop is the captain and the leader of the Spanish pride, injecting her team with a much-needed stern and calm voice. She is also a skillful ball carrier and a deeply focused fighter who doesn’t give up.
Delgado has won multiple accolades for club and country and is one of the last remnants of the last Spanish roster to have played in a World Cup. The true definition of a living legend.
Carmen Castelucci – A voracious and unforgiving breakdown forager, Castelucci has added a special kind of spice to Spain’s forward pack and will be vital for their 2024 WXV 3 campaign.
In 2023, she was one of Spain’s best players in WXV, forcing Fiji to concede three penalties at the breakdown and snatching two vital turnovers as she helped The Leonas to a historic 26-19 victory.
Since then, Castelucci has made a name for herself on the Gloucester-Hartpury roster and will play a key role in Spain’s World Cup hopes.
Claudia Peña – One of Harlequins’ newest signings, Claudia Peña Hidalgo, is like the female version of The Flash as her speed is not from this universe. Peña made her debut for Spain when she was only 17, pulling more than a few tricks since that first outing.
In 2023, the outside back finished WXV 3 with four tries, two assists, more than nine clean breaks and simply excelled every time she was called upon. The 19-year-old is already a star for her country and will certainly be the deciding factor in Spain’s World Cup bid.
Rising Stars
Claudia Pérez – Give Claudia Pérez an inch and she will definitely turn it into something special. The winger made her debut for her country two years ago and has become a first-team regular since then, clinching 11 tries in 15 caps.
Alba Capell – Alba Capell is one of the finest talents of her generation, having ascended due to her relentless and hardworking mindset. She is always up to do the heavy lifting, even if it means going beyond human limits. Having moved to Sale Sharks over the summer, the loose forward will be highly motivated to excel in the upcoming WXV 3.
Prediction
Having finished third in 2023’s WXV 3 behind Ireland and Fiji, Spain have high hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
The draw sees them open with a game against Madagascar followed by a European clash with the Netherlands before ending against Fiji. Taking their fixtures, form, and team depth into account, I believe Spain will finish in second place just behind Fiji or even topple the Fijians.
Either way, it will mean they will qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup after Fiji booked their ticket to England 2025 back in June following their success in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.
NETHERLANDS
It has been a long time since the Netherlands qualified for a World Cup, having last played in the 2002 edition.
But in 2024, their destiny may change as they have a perfect opportunity to get back to the grandest stage of the oval sport. Will they be up to the task?
Best Players
Linde van der Velden – There’s no one better than Linder van der Velden when it comes to hunting and taking down ball carriers. The Netherlands will need their skipper to be at her best if they dare to dream of World Cup qualification.
The 29-year-old has made a career in France and England [with Exeter Chiefs], and she possesses vast and well-seasoned experience which will help her country in their tough contests with Spain and Samoa. Her set-piece knowledge and calm wit will also prove decisive in the most pressurised moments.
Lieve Stallmann – Netherlands has in Lieve Stallmann an excellent game manager and someone capable of fueling a serene posture, even when she is under heavy pressure.
Her ability to find gaps behind the opposition line is a special one, unlocking paths to the try line and granting her team a much-needed attacking boost.
A special athlete with enough skill to turn any game from the inside out.
Nicky Dix – The word ‘no’ doesn’t exist in Nicky Dix’s lexicon and if you watch her play, you will almost immediately understand why.
Beyond her skills as a scrummager – and believe me, she is good at it – Dix is a ferocious ball-carrier, powerful enough to bounce those tacklers who can’t lower their body position.
Give her the chance to build a bit of momentum and it will lead to a world of trouble for whoever is blocking her path.
Rising Stars
Anouk Veerkamp – Anouk Veerkamp has become a household name in BUCS Women’s Rugby, with the prop selected as one of the best players in the Women’s National League last season.
Playing for BUCS champions Hartpury since 2023, she has found her way into the Dutch roster becoming an essential operator in their starting line-up.
With so much at stake in WXV 3 2024, Veerkamp’s form will be vital for the scrum and for the off-the-ball work.
Isa Prins – Vibrant, athletic, resilient, trustworthy, and powerful. There’s no shortage of adjectives for Isa Prins, one of the Netherlands' best enforcers, especially when it comes down to her ability as an agile tackler and skillful ball handler. Be it as a number-eight, flanker or lock, Prins influences her team massively.
Prediction
Unfortunately, the Netherlands find themselves with one of the worst schedules as they must face Samoa, Spain, and Hong Kong China - three massive hurdles if they want to achieve their World Cup dream.
They will fare well against Hong Kong China but will fall short against Spain and Samoa, finishing in fourth. But WXV 3 is prone to surprises, and they have more than enough to produce something special.
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