USA stun Ireland to surge six places as Wales climb after WXV Global Series wins

The USA Women’s Eagles and Wales both climbed two places in the World Rugby rankings after impressive WXV Global Series victories over the weekend, setting up a mouth-watering Cardiff clash between the two resurgent sides this Saturday.

Jack Hanratty’s USA produced the more dramatic of the two results, overturning a 19-point deficit at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin to beat Ireland 40-36 — their first victory over the Irish since 2018. A second-half brace from Kathryn Treder, along with tries from Hallie Taufoou and Freda Tafuna, powered the comeback, with Bella Vogel’s reliable boot proving the difference. The win lifts the Eagles two places to sixth in the world rankings, leapfrogging Scotland and Italy, and places them one spot below Sunday’s opponents Ireland ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

Wales, meanwhile, made a statement on Friday night at Cardiff Arms Park, dismantling 10th-ranked South Africa 50-19. Sisilia Tuipulotu crossed twice, with Courtney Keight, Seren Lockwood, Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Lisa Neumann and Alex Callender also scoring. The victory — Sean Lynn’s side’s first Test win in 14 months and only his second since taking charge in 2025 — moved Wales up to 12th, past Fiji and Japan, and ended a difficult run that had seen them sink to a record-low 13th just a fortnight earlier following Fiji’s win over Japan.

Elsewhere in the WXV Global Series, England drew with Canada, New Zealand demolished Scotland 66-14, and France completed a comeback win against Australia. Italy, who beat Japan 55-21 in Pordenone on Saturday, slipped one place to seventh, while Scotland dropped to eighth.

In the WXV Global Series Challenger, Spain beat Samoa 61-21, Fiji defeated Hong Kong China 54-26, and the Netherlands edged Brazil 17-15.

With both the USA and Wales arriving in Cardiff on the back of morale-boosting wins against higher-ranked opposition, Saturday’s meeting at Cardiff Arms Park carries genuine intrigue — and meaningful ranking implications for both sides.