“We’re moving forward in the right direction whilst building depth in our cover,” said head coach John Mitchell.
“New Zealand are playing good rugby at the moment and it’s no surprise to see them raise their standards.
“Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium.”
New Zealand were the last team to beat the Red Roses, upsetting the tournament favourites in the final of the previous Women’s Rugby World Cup in November 2022.
England have won the teams’ three meetings since – most recently running out 49-31 winners in October 2024 – but the Black Ferns have won all seven Tests they have played this year under new coach Whitney Hansen.
“Our players are built different, we’re made for these moments,” said Hansen, who is the daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
“We’ve continued to grow each week and we’re excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England, who are currently number one in the world. “
Among Hansen’s selection is wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga, who scored two tries in her team’s World Cup final win over England, and teenage full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who was one of the stars of the 2025 tournament.
England; Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Matthews, Kabeya, Feaunati
Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Burton, Packer, Hunt, Heard, Sing
New Zealand: Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I’iga; H King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu’u, E-P King, Olsen-Baker
Replacements: Lolohea, Robinson, Taumata, Vaipulu, Sae, Turner, McGregor, Saili
