Spain and Fiji kick off the action on the opening day, before hosts Hong Kong China face Brazil and the Netherlands against Samoa.
Spain v Fiji
Spain and Fiji will have the honour of kicking off this year’s WXV Global Challenger Series, with the European and Pacific nations set to clash this Sunday at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
Spain head coach Régis Sonnes has chosen to leave Claudia Peña Hidalgo on the bench, with Maider Aresti and Amaia Erbina combining in the centre pairing. Bingbing Vergara starts ahead of Anne Férnandez de Corres in the scrum-half position.
Carmen Castellucci, who has returned to play after a brief pause, will have the chance to feature for Spain for the first time in two years, with the powerful number-eight expected to come in as soon as after the break. África Vílchez is the sole debutant in a vastly experienced side that will be determined to overcome the challenge laid out by the Fijiana.
The Fiji women’s side have been working tirelessly over the past four months, and although they did not record any victories against South Africa, their performances have been impressive, particularly in the most recent match played three weeks ago.
One of the most recent successes of newly appointed head coach Willie Walker was the playmaker combo pairing of scrum-half Kolora Lomani and rising fly-half Varanisese Qoro. The duo will play a key role in penetrating the opposition’s defence, and their ability to create opportunities is likely to shape the match outcome.
Number eight and vice-captain Alfreda Fisher makes a return to the starting line-up after serving a one-match suspension, empowering the Fijiana pack who will be looking to dominate from the kick-off.
While the Fiji line-up includes no players making their senior international debut, Zipporah Sorokacika deserves a special mention. The 21-year-old prop's rise has been remarkable, and she made her Test debut in March after joining the High Performance programme earlier in the year.
As for their past encounters, Las Leonas and the Fijiana have met twice, with the European nation winning both times.
Spain: Amalia Argudo; Claudia Cano, Amaia Erbina, Maider Aresti, Anne Cortés Ekobo; Naroa Azpitarte, Ariadna Bingbing Vergara Matilda; Gemma Silva, Nuria Jou, Eider García; Beatriz Rivera, Lourdes Alameda (capt), Victoria Rosell, Nerea García, Valentina Pérez. Replacements: Alba Capell, África Vílchez, Sidorella Bracic, Carmen Castellucci, Carmen Nwatu, Matilda Toca, Anne Fernández de Corres and Claudia Peña.
Fiji: Iva Nabura Rokowati; Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa, Ruth Raketekete, Josivini Neihamu, Aqela Raitubu; Varanisese Qoro, Kolora Lomani (capt); Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Tiana Robanakadavu; Jade Coates, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Daunimoala, Merewairita Neivosa, Alfreda Fisher. Replacements: Bitla Tawake, Zipporah Sorokacika, Adi Keri Lawavou, Carletta Yee, Manuqalo Komaitai, Evivi Senikarivi, Adi Salote Nailolo, Repeka Tove.
Hong Kong China v Brazil
Hong Kong, China, and Brazil are set to clash for the first time this Sunday, and fans at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground will get to enjoy what is expected to be a thrilling contest.
The match will also mark a historic milestone for Lee Ka Shun, who is set to earn her 40th cap and become the most-capped women's rugby player in Hong Kong China rugby history. The experienced front-rower is expected to step into the fray after the break, with interim coach Tumua Ioane opting to start Kirstie Stevenson and Kea Herewini.
Lara Schats will call the shots from the backline, with the fly-half playing a vital role in the team's counter-attack dynamics. Special attention to Zoe Smith, with the winger among Hong Kong China’s leading point scorers at last year's Asia Rugby Women’s Championship and a constant attacking threat for her side. Ella Lynam will make her debut from the wing, while Rosanna Down and Ching Yi Shek will potentially also earn their first cap coming off the bench.
Concerning the Yaras, head coach Guilherme Coghetto has been forced to make a few last-minute changes with front-row legend Pâmela Santos missing the opening match of the WXV Global Challenger Series.
Nonetheless, Brazil will put out one of their strongest squads since Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, with loose-head prop Samara Vergara leading the charge and Eshyllen Coimbra calling the lineout shots. Veteran scrum-half Luiza Campos will pair up with Gisele Gomes in the playmaker combo, aiming to unleash the pace of Thalita Costa and Giovanna Barth with a steady supply of attacking opportunities.
Prop Taís Prioste and back-rower Larissa Lima Henwood are Brazil’s two main absences, along with SVNS superstars Bianca Silva, Leila Silva and Camilla Carvalho.
Hong Kong China: Sabay Lynam; Ella Lynam, Abigal Chan, Fung Hoi Ching (co-capt), Zoe Zmith; Lara Schats (co-capt), Tsz Yau Wan; Kirstie Stevenson, Tanya Dhar, Kea Herewini; Isobel Littlehailes, Roshini Turner, Jenna Potgieter, Grace Hood, Pun Wai Yan. Replacements: Fion Got, Nga Wun Lau, Lee Ka Shun, Men Nam Chow, Wing Ni Winnie Siu, Rosanna Down, Lauren Knowler and Ching Yi Shek.
Brazil: Fernanda Tenório, Giovanna Barth, Carol Pereira, Rafaela Zanellato, Thalita Costa, Gisele Gomes, Luiza Campos (capt); Samara Vergara, Júlia Leni, Giovana Mamede, Eshyllen Coimbra, Marcelle Cruz, Larissa Alves, Marina Fioravanti, Mariana Moreira. Replacements: Patrícia Lima, Juliana da Silva, Ale Lima, Dayana Dakar, Milene Mariano, Leila Silva, Mariana Nicolau, Raquel Kochhann.
The Netherlands v Samoa
A 33-0 victory over a Scotland A side and a training camp in which they were put through their paces by Dutch Army Special Operations Forces has set the Netherlands up for a serious push for the WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong.
The Oranje Dames will want to give outgoing head coach Gareth Gilbert the perfect send-off in his final tournament in charge. He is set to return to his native South Africa after this month’s three-match campaign.
New Manusina coach Fuimaono Bella Milo, meanwhile, sees the WXV Global Series Challenger as vital time with her squad, as she keeps one eye on next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 qualifiers.
“Having players come straight out of competitive club rugby environments across New Zealand, Australia and Samoa has significantly boosted our preparation, so we are looking forward to hitting the ground running,” Bella Milo said when she named her wider squad for the three-week, three-match series.
One key change she has made already has been to name 13-cap Michelle Curry as captain, after seeing her in camp in Hong Kong ahead of their opening match against The Netherlands; while Takisha Filipaina could win her first cap off the bench.
“Michelle has been a leader around the camp and has had a stellar season with her club.
The Netherlands: Isis Yara Touw; Kika Mulling, Pleuni Kievit, Mariet Luijken, Lieve Stallmann; Jet Metz, Esmee Ligtvoet; Julia Morauw, Alexis Muggleton, Nicky Dix; Elizabeth Shermer, Inger Jongerius; Isa Prins, Gwen van der Schoot, Linde van der Velden (capt). Replacements: Lynn Koelman, Sydney de Weijer, Brechtje Karst, Femke Boddeke, Lisa Boot, Puck van den Akker, Lisa Egberts, Senne Hoog.
Samoa: Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung; Drenna Falaniko, Faasua Makisi, Hasting Leiataua, Lutia Col Aumua; Melina Salale, Ana-Maria Afuie; Octavia Nanai Iafeta, Faith Nonutunu, Avau Filimaua; Jorja Fruean, Easter Savelio; Machiko Silila F Felpuleai, Michelle Curry (capt), Linda Fiafia. Replacements: Soolefai Auimatagi, Maria Eirenei Nikolao, Maletina Mavaega-Brown, Olalini Tafoulua, Takisha Filipaina, Janell Faanana Fereti, Tyra Boysen Auimatagi, Davina Lasini.
