WXV prep begins in earnest

Those two games come before probably the biggest warm-up of the lot, when England host New Zealand next weekend, in a game that it’s hoped a crowd of around 50,000 will be present at Twickenham.

Scotland v Wales

Friday, 6 September, 19:35, BBC Alba, BBC Sport Website

Wales and Scotland are both preparing for the second tier of the competition, with both sets of coaches using the match to try out some new faces.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has picked a couple of uncapped players -  Gloucester-Hartpury’s Leia Brebner-Holden and Lucia Scotton and made five changes from the side that last ran out against Ireland.

Scotland are without Emma Wassell, Lisa Thomson and Caity Mattinson but welcome back Jade Konkel who has been out injured.

Wales meanwhile have three new caps while Keira Bevan will captain the side for the first time.

Jasmine Joyce returns to the starting line-up after becoming the first player to represent Great Britian at three separate Olympics at Paris 2024.

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Catherine Richards, Meg Webb, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce; Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan (capt); Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins.

Replacements: Rosie Carr, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Nel Metcalfe.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald, Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Fi McIntosh, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Eva Donaldson, Jade Konkel, Leia Brebner-Holden, Lucia Scott.

England v France

Saturday, 7 September, 14:30, BBC One

Flanker Maddie Feaunati makes her first start in a strong looking England team, which defeated France 42-21 on its last outing.

Helena Rowland starts for Meg Jone, who is out with a long-term injury, in the centres while there’s also a place on the bench for the England Under-20 captain Lilli Ives Campion.

France have also named a strong team with powerhouse prop Rose Bernadou returning to a replacement bench full of experience while a loaded backrow sees Charlotte Escudero, Emiline Gros and Romane Menager all start.

England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Talling, Feaunati, M Packer, Matthews.

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Campion, Cleall, L Packer, Harrison, Scarratt.

France: Jacquet; Banet, Konde, M Menager, Boulard; Tuy, Chambon; Brosseau, Sochat, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall, Escudero, Gros, R Menager.

Replacements: Bigot, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Ikahehegi, Okemba, T Feleu, Bourdon Sansus, Vernier.