The women’s Celtic Challenge rugby tournament will expand to six teams as it returns for a second year.
Ireland, Scotland and Wales will each field two development sides which will go head to head over 11 weeks of competition, starting on 18 December.
A three-team tournament launched in January this year with the aim of bridging the gap between women’s domestic and international matches.
It also gave players much-needed game time before the Women’s Six Nations.
Senior internationals Lisa Neumann, Sioned Harries and Abbie Fleming were among those to feature for Wales.
“Getting out on the pitch, mixing it with the Irish and Scottish sides allowed me to remind people of what I can do,” said Neumann, who went on to be selected for the Six Nations and WXV1 in New Zealand.
Fleming added: “There is no substitute for playing and having the opportunity to impress the coaches was vital for club and country.”
The Combined Irish Provinces team won the inaugural title, beating the Scottish Thistles and WRU Development XV.
The competition is organised by the Irish, Scottish and Welsh rugby unions, with financial support from World Rugby.
World Rugby’s director of women Sally Horrox said the feedback from the first year had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“It’s been impressive to see 24 players already going on to compete in the Women’s Six Nations, who might not have had the opportunity otherwise,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the competition grow as more teams compete, we strengthen our pathways and increase competitiveness on the road to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.”
The 2024 Women’s Six Nations begins at the end of March.
The WRU will be holding an open trial for its Celtic Challenge teams at the National Centre of Excellence, Vale Resort on 2 and 3 December for all Welsh-qualified players competing in Welsh domestic rugby or English Premiership and Championship.
