All four sides were in top form to come out victorious with bonus points to set them up nicely for the next few weeks.
In WXV 3 in Dubai on Saturday, Spain got off to the perfect start against Kenya when captain Cristina Blanco went over for an early try converted by full-back Amalia Argudo.
Maria Calvo, the No.8, then scored try number two in the seventh minute at The Sevens 2 venue and when Argudo converted it was 14-0.
Kenya then came into things before a penalty from Argudo just before the half hour mark made it 17-0 to Spain.
Winger Claudia Pérez scored try number three, this time unconverted, and it was 22-0 at half-time.
Back-row Vico Gorrochategui got the all-important fourth bonus point try for Spain in the second half with replacement Zahia Perez converting and later adding a penalty to finish things at 32-0.
The previous day at the same venue, Ireland had been on fire to dismiss Kazakhstan 109-0.
Tighthead prop Christy Haney, full-back Méabh Deely, centre Eve Higgins (4), loosehead prop Linda Djougang, winger Béibhinn Parsons (4), scrum-half Molly Scuffil-McCabe, back-row Grace Moore, centre Aoife Dalton (2), No.8 Brittany Hogan and replacement Sarah Delaney scored tries with stand-off Dannah O’Brien and sub Nicole Fowley kicking six conversions apiece.
The other result in the competition in week one was Fiji 67 Colombia 13.
Over in WXV 2 in South Africa, Italy and Scotland were both in action on Friday in the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
Italy defeated Japan 28-15, centre Beatrice Rigoni giving them the perfect start with a try after just four minutes converted by fellow centre Michela Sillari.
Sillari was then yellow carded and that allowed Japan to score an unconverted try, but the Italians led 14-5 at half-time after winger Aura Muzzo scored a try. It was converted by Sillari.
Two converted tries in the first 13 minutes of the second half through Muzzo and full-back Francesca Granzotto gave Italy the four try bonus point and they came through 28-15.
Scotland were up against hosts South Africa and were down 3-0 before an unconverted try by No.8 Evie Gallagher put them ahead.
A converted try put South Africa 10-5 up until two tries from hooker Lana Skeldon, one converted by stand-off Helen Nelson, had Scotland 17-10 up at the break.
In the second half Scotland’s tries came from loosehead prop Leah Bartlett and centre Lisa Thomson, both converted by replacement Meryl Smith as it finished 31-17.
The WXV 2 week one action was rounded off on Saturday when USA defeated Samoa 36-26.
As a result of their wins, Spain and Ireland have moved up to 12th and 10thin the latest world rankings with Italy and Scotland still sitting eighth and ninth respectively.
This coming weekend sees WXV 1 in New Zealand starting and week two of the previously mentioned competitions taking place.
For more information on the competition you can find it all on the WXV website
By Gary Heatly
Photos: World Rugby
