Scotland will defend their WXV2 title against Italy, Japan and Australia in South Africa later this year. 

Cape Town will play host to the six-team competition, with Scotland's defence of the title they won last year kicking off against Six Nations rivals Italy at DHL Stadium, home of the Stormers. 

In a repeat of a match-up at last year's tournament, Bryan Easson's team will then face Japan. Scotland were comfortable 31-7 winners last time out. 

The Scots will conclude the tournament by facing Australia with a chance to avenge an agonising 14-12 defeat at the most recent Rugby World Cup. 

Scotland missed out on a place at WXV1 after finishing fourth in this year's Guinness Women's Six Nations. 

But captain Rachel Malcolm told Scotland Rugby News in an exclusive interview that she felt the chance to retain their title may not be a bad thing for a young squad. 

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If they do repeat their success from last year, Scotland will also book their place at next year's Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile, Scottish Rugby has confirmed Easson's side will welcome Wales and Fiji to Hive Stadium in the build-up to WXV2. 

Scotland beat Wales on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, and they will look for revenge when they visit on September 6. 

Eight days later, Scotland Women will face Fiji for the first time ever. 

The Fijiana side first began competing on the international stage in 2006 and are currently 13th in the World Rugby rankings, seven places below Scotland. 

In June this, Fiji topped the table in the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship to directly qualify for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and WXV 3 after recording wins against Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

Easson said: “Having the opportunity to host Wales and Fiji as part of our preparations for WXV 2 is a really exciting prospect, which will give us a chance to grow and develop our squad ahead of what will be a very competitive tournament in South Africa.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson with the WXV 2 trophyScotland head coach Bryan Easson with the WXV 2 trophy (Image: World Rugby via Getty Images)

“After recording a sell-out crowd against England in the Six Nations earlier this year, we relish the opportunity to put in strong performances against two quality sides and give our fans an exciting experience to wave us off to Cape Town.

“We are really excited about the next few months ahead of us and our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.”