Ireland's participation in the third tier of World Rugby's inaugural WXV tournament has been confirmed.
They will be part of a six-team cross-pool format along with one other European side, as well as one each from Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America.
A host for WXV 3 has yet to be announced, with the venue dependent on the nations qualifying, but fixtures will take place on 14, 21 and 28 October.
The competition's top tier, WXV 1, will be hosted by New Zealand and will feature the top three from this year's Tik Tok Women's Six Nations England, France and Wales.
WXV 2, which Ireland will be aiming to eventually gain promotion to, will be hosted by South Africa and has Scotland confirmed as a participant.
A play-off between Italy and Spain will determine which one of the two will initially participate in WXV 2 while the loser will join Ireland in tier three.
The World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2023 will determine the remaining three teams in WXV 1 and one team in WXV 2, with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States contesting the competition featuring the top two teams in Oceania and North America.
WXV will comprise two sides from Europe and one each from Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America.
Each division in the annual tournament will be played out as a cross-pool format, with promotion and relegation - although only between WXV2 and WXV3 for the first two years leading up to the 2025 World Cup.
World Rugby is aiming for the tournament to increase "the competitiveness, reach and impact" of the 15-a-side women's game across the globe.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Former Ireland international and South Africa's current high-performance manager for women's rugby, Lynne Cantwell, said: "It is massive for the women's game, and we can only commend World Rugby for designing and funding the competition where the top 18 teams in the world will get more competitive games to play, and I have no doubt that it is going to drive the standard of the game.
"We are really happy that we can host this first tournament for teams in WXV 2. Domestically, we would love to market the women's game as wide as possible and by having it on our doorstep, we can reach out to many potential fans and players by bringing the game to them.
"It will also give our national team at least three more competitive tests every year, and this time around it will provide a good build-up to the 2024 season, which will be the next Rugby World Cup qualification cycle. More games will make us more competitive and hopefully improve our world ranking."
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: "We made a pledge at a spectacular Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand to accelerate the advancement of the women's game.
"Much progress is being made at rapid pace and today we are marking another milestone with confirmation of the dates and venues for the inaugural WXV competition.
"With women and girls leading our strategy to grow the sport on a global basis, this competition will increase the reach and impact of the sport and drive the overall competitiveness of women's international rugby as we look forward to an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup 2025 in England and subsequent Rugby World Cups in Australia in 2029 and USA in 2033."
Watch the BKT URC quarter-finals, Leinster v Sharks (Saturday, 5pm) and Glasgow Warriors v Munster (Saturday, 7.35pm), on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport or listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
Follow a live blog of Ulster v Connacht (Friday, 7.35pm) or listen to live commentary on Game On on RTÉ 2fm.
